British Isles weather diary

(Note: figures in parentheses give an indication, from first reports, of the spread of daily max and min temperatures, min daytime temperatures (occasionally), rainfall and sunshine in the 24 hours ending 2100 GMT.)

The 1st was a rather showery day in most areas, with some longer spells of rain over S England earlier in the day. Parts of N and E Scotland had a ground frost overnight - with air frost in N Scotland. Some thunder was heard in the W, with showers turning to snow over high ground in Scotland and over parts of the Pennines. It was rather dull over N Ireland and W and N areas of Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 10.8C, Tyndrum 1.7C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -6.0C minimum, Tyndrum 17.8mm, Charterhall 5.5 h.)

Bands of rain crossed the British Isles on the 2nd and pressure fell as a low centre moved to SW Scotland by 2400 GMT - central pressure 966 mb (storm Eleanor). It was a sunless day in most areas and cold across N and Cent Scotland, after an early air frost here; ground was widespread before dawn across the British Isles. Snow fell in parts of Scotland and winds increased to gale force as the day progressed. Connaught Airport recorded a gust of 97 mph during the day. At least 50,000 ESB customers in the W and NW of Ireland were without power due to Storm Eleanor, the worst-affected counties being Mayo, Galway and Leitrim. In the evening there was extensive disruption around Galway city centre, after high tides caused extensive flooding. A number of cars were swept away by flash floods in Oranmore, Co Galway in the evening. (Isles of Scilly 13.2C, Strathallan 2.1C maximum, Aboyne -4.4C minimum, Capel Curig 39.6 mm, Lerwick 1.9 h.)

Storm Eleanor brought a windy day to all areas on the 3rd, but especially over Ireland, Wales and England. It was cold but largely dry across N and Cent Scotland - although there were some wintry showers. Elsewhere, rain followed by showers crossed the British Isles; there was thunder in places, especially over the Midlands, East Anglia and SW England. During the day some showers merged into longer periods of rain. The Met Office recorded gusts reaching 100 mph overnight and falling trees caused minor injuries to a man in Worcestershire as well as to a man in Wales after one fell on his car. There were numerous road closures and delays on public transport. Over 30,000 homes lost power at some point. Gusts reached 100 mph in Great Dun Fell and 77 mph in High Bradfield. Several major bridges were closed due to high winds and there were numerous reports of fallen trees blocking roads, including the M25. Overturned vehicles led to closures on the A1M, M6 and M5. The Thames Barrier closed at 1015 GMT to protect London from flooding. There were numerous train delays, with National Rail reporting disruption in many parts of the country, including between Worcester and Oxford, between Birmingham and Kings Norton and between Brighton and Haywards Heath in West Sussex. Police on the Isle of Man said a number of roads were closed due to fallen trees, flooding and debris from damaged buildings. The Severn Crossing between Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire and the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich also closed overnight due to the high winds. (Isles of Scilly 11.4C, Altnaharra 0.9C maximum, Altnaharra -5.5C minimum, Eskdalemuir 26.6 mm, Ronaldsway 3.6 h.)

On the 4th another depression crossed Ireland (centred 982 mb over the Isle of Man at 1200 GMT) and N England. The low spread rain NE'wards to the S of it, with windy conditions in S parts of England. To the N of the low it remained mainly dry for most of the time after an early air frost in many places here. It was a cold day to the N of the low - and most places remained rather dull. (Yeovilton 13.2C, Fyvie Castle 0.2C maximum, Altnaharra -6.9C minimum, Plymouth 24.0 mm, Shobdon 2.6 h.)

The 5th was a rather cloudy and showery day as a complex area of low pressure remained slow-moving over the British Isles. Away from S England there was a widespread ground frost over the UK, with a slight air frost in parts of Scotland and N Ireland. Showers fell as snow across Scotland - and in parts of the Midlands early in the day. It was cold in N areas in the N to NE'ly flow there. (Guernsey Airport 10.1C, Dalwhinnie 1.0C maximum, Katesbridge -2.9C minimum, Port Ellen 23.0 mm, Hurn 4.8 h.)

High pressure became established over N areas on the 6th (centre 1031 mb over Cent Scotland by 2400 GMT), leading to a cool NE'ly flow over the S half of the British Isles. There was frost and some showers overnight, with some fog patches by dawn in S England. Further showers occurred during the day - with some wintry falls over areas of Scotland. (St Helier 8.7C, Dalwhinnie -0.2C maximum, South Newington -4.7C minimum, Bainbridge 5.4 mm, Aldergrove 6.3 h.)

Pressure remained generally high on the 7th - above 1032 mb in some areas for a large part of the day. It was a cold, sunny and generally dry day due to the NE'ly wind. Across parts of N and Cent Scotland temperatures remained below freezing and there was some light snowfall in parts of N Scotland. W and N Scotland remained rather cloudy. A few areas close to the North Sea had a light shower or two. (Guernsey Airport 7.3C, Dalwhinnie -2.2C maximum, Dalwhinnie -9.8C minimum, Loftus 2.2 mm, Camborne 7.5 h.)

Ground frost was widespread into the 8th except in a few coastal locations, notably in S parts of England and Ireland. Most areas had an air frost - which was sharp in parts of Scotland and N England. High pressure continued to exert an influence, but a weak front spreading N across S Britain and Ireland later led to a cloudy day in S parts of England, Wales and Ireland. Elsewhere it was a sunny day. Police dealt with 25 road crashes in just one hour as freezing conditions were felt across much of Scotland in the morning. The cold weather also led to disruption on rail services with trains unable to stop at Johnstone in Renfrewshire due to icicles on the overhead lines. Several schools in Scotland were closed to pupils because of heating or water problems. (Isles of Scilly 9.5C, Strathallan -1.4C maximum, Strathallan -9.8C minimum, Stowe 0.4 mm, Aberdaron 6.9 h.)

The 9th was a rather cloudy day except across NW Scotland where the day began with sunny spells. Scotland, N Ireland, N Wales and N England had an air frost in places at first - and there was some fog in parts of England and Wales. Frontal rain spread across Ireland and into Wales and SW England. At Valentia 17 mm fell in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. (Isles of Scilly 10.6C, Spadeadam 1.3C maximum, Bridgefoot -4.9C minimum, Camborne 13.0 mm, Aviemore 5.1 h.)

Rain fell across W areas of the British Isles overnight into the 10th, and affected E Britain (mainly England) as it moved NE'wards during the day. Another area of rain affected SW Ireland later in the day (14 mm fell at Sherkin Island in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT). As the rain moved E early in the day it led to some early fog in places - but most of E Ireland, Wales and S England then had a sunny day. The fog persisted locally, especially over Northern Ireland, and returned to some places in the evening. (Yeovilton 12.1C, Lough Fea 1.8C maximum, Shobdon -1.1C minimum, Cardiff Bute Park 9.2 mm, Yeovilton 7.1 h.)

A mainly mild S'ly flow affected much of the British Isles on the 11th. There was rain at times overnight in W Ireland before dawn (with falls of over 10 mm in the places in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT). Most inland areas had a ground frost before dawn, with an air frost in places as far S as Hampshire. It was dull, misty and damp over E and SE England; elsewhere there were sunny spells (except in E England and E Scotland) . It remained cold in some areas of high ground (in fog) and in the Scottish glens. (Isles of Scilly 10.1C, Lentran 0.2C maximum, Altnaharra -6.0C minimum, Charsfield 10.2 mm, Camborne 7.0 h.)

There was some fog at first on the 12th with an air frost in E Ireland, Wales and inland areas of Scotland; most inland areas away from E England had a ground frost. Fog was rather persistent in parts of the W Midlands and E Wales. Rain spread into Ireland and W Britain in the evening. Most of Cent and E Britain was dull with a (mainly light) rain or drizzle in places and even in the brighter areas sunshine amounts were small. (Isles of Scilly 10.5C, Llysdinam 2.1Cmaximum, Tain Range -6.9C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 3.8 mm, Bala 2.6 h.)

Slow-moving frosts, especially over the W half of the British Isles, led to a mostly cloudy day on the 13th. It was wet in these frontal areas, with heavy falls in places that tended to become light into the evening. Low pressure towards the W of Scotland led to windy conditions in NW Scotland - while high pressure maintained control in E areas. A S#ly flow meant a mainly mild day. (Isles of Scilly 9.8C, Carterhouse 3.4C maximum, Eskdalemuir -0.3C minimum, Camborne 36.2 mm, Kirkwall 0.6 h.)

The 14th was a cloudy day in most areas due (at least in the W) to frontal systems - that brought heavy rain across W and N Scotland and much of Ireland later in the day. A deep low far to the NW led to a windy day in W and N areas with some severe gales later over N Scotland. Areas of Wales, SW England, E Ireland and the extreme SE corner of England had a few sunny spells. (Isles of Scilly 10.9C, Leek 1.8C maximum, Exeter Airport -0.7C minimum, Cluanie Inn 32.0 mm, Bude 5.4 h.)

Fronts crossed all areas on the 15th, introducing a brisk W'ly flow across the British Isles. It was cloudy with rain and strong winds overnight (and no ground frost at low levels), followed by showers weather from the W. It remained rather cloudy and dull in E areas of England with the rain not clearing from here until the afternoon, but Ireland and W areas of England and Wales had some sunny intervals during the day. There was some thunder towards the W during the late afternoon and evening, and mild before a cold front passed. Later the showers turned to snow over high ground in Scotland. (Hurn 12.5C, Dalwhinnie 3.3C maximum, Fylingdales 0.6C minimum, Capel Curig 44.8 mm, Dundrennan 3.6 h.)

Storm Fionn was named on the 16th due to a period of strong winds (not an identifiable low centre) that affected Eire. The strongest gusts there included 137 km/h at Mace Head and 117 km/h at Shannon Airport and Sherkin Island. MSL pressure fell to around 969 ,mb on N Shetland at 1200 GMT in this W'ly flow. After an air frost in E Scotland and widespread overnight showers, the day continued generally showery - but with some sunny spells across England. The showers were mostly of snow or hail (and with local thunder) across Scotland, N England and in N and W Ireland - although snow also fell in Wales and in parts of SW England. Motorists were warned to drive with caution as snow and ice affected large parts of Scotland. Dozens of schools were closed in the Highlands and Dumfries and Galloway, after overnight snowfall. Police reported dealing with jack-knifed lorries on the A9 at Dalwhinnie, and on the M74 between Lockerbie and Moffat. Wintry conditions forced Inverness airport to close for a time. Flights in and out of Aberdeen Airport were also affected and Glasgow Airport was closed for a while as the runway, taxi and passenger routes were cleared. Reported snow depths included 17 cm at Sule Skerry and 28 cm at Drumalbin at 2100 GMT, and 7 cm at Great Dun Fell at 1200 GMT. (Isles of Scilly 9.5C, Dalwhinnie -0.7C maximum, Braemar -2.1C minimum, Sheffield 17.0 mm, Wattisham 6.4 h.)

A W to NW'ly flow dominated the weather for much of the 17th, although by late evening a deepening depression had crossed Ireland it then lay centred, N or Anglesey, at 981 mb at 2400 GMT. There was an air frost across Scotland, N Ireland and N England by dawn, with pockets of frost also as far S as the S Midlands. Hundreds of drivers spent the night in their cars after becoming stranded due to heavy snow. Mountain rescue teams were sent to help those stuck on the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway after severe weather led to closures at Millbank and Beattock. Public transport was disrupted and schools remained closed in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Disruption was also reported on the M62 trans-Pennine motorway, although by Wednesday morning traffic was able to move. Except in W parts of Scotland and Ireland it was a sunny day - with showers (many of them wintry) over Ireland and W Britain overnight, these then spreading across much of Wales and N England during the day. Rain spread quickly NE'wards during the evening, turning to snow away from southern counties. Reported snow depths included 10 cm at Great Dun Fell at 1500 GMT and 39 cm at Eskdalemuir at 1200 GMT. (Isles of Scilly 10.8C, Carterhouse 0.8C maximum, Drumnadrochit -5.0C minimum, Glenanne 20.6 mm, Wattisham 6.5 h.)

The depression crossed N England quickly E'wards during the morning of the 18th. To its N there was a widespread ground frost with overnight snow in Scotland and N England and a sharp air frost in parts of Cent Scotland. The low brought a spell of heavy rain in places, and severe gales caused disruption to much of the UK - with gusts of up to 70 mph. Police in several areas, including Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Gloucestershire, reported fallen trees on or near roads. Damage to overhead electric wires caused problems for train services in the Midlands, and in Scotland, police urged motorists to drive with "extreme caution" in the wintry conditions; drivers in Scotland and N England were being warned not to travel at all until after 0500 GMT, the first such warning issued since high winds in January 2013. Rail commuters faced delays in London, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. In Sydenham, south east London, a train hit a tree. Scottish Borders Council said no schools would open today, affecting 15,000 pupils. It was a mild night in S England with overnight minimum temperatures around 8C in places. A blustery day followed in all areas with S England remaining mild but with wintry showers across N Ireland, N England and Scotland. Reported snow depths at 1800 GMT included 15 cm at South Uist Range, 26 cm at West Freugh and 13 cm at Keswick. There was thunder in parts of the southeast in the afternoon and also near a few W and NW coasts. (Swanage 10.5C, Drumnadrochit -0.5C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -7.7C minimum, Rochdale 20.8 mm, Hurn 5.2 h.)

There was widespread ground frost into the 19th with many inland parts of Britain having a slight air frost. Wintry weather again affected Scotland, N Ireland and N England overnight. Some communities in Scotland remained cut-off and the wintry weather continued during the day in these N areas. Further S it was drier and sunnier. Reported snow depths at 2100 GMT included 13 cm at South Uist Range and 12 cm at Glenanne. Frontal rain spread into SW Ireland later in the day. (Isles of Scilly 8.9C, Dalwhinnie -0.6C maximum, Drumnadrochit -6.8C minimum, Machrihanish 14.8 mm, Lyneham 6.6 h.)

Much of Scotland was very cold on the 20th, with persistent frost in places over a snow cover; many places were sunny, but there were isolated freezing fog patches, and snow showers around northern coasts. It was mostly overcast over Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and except in the S and SW it was also cold. Snow showers also affected N Ireland, N England, N Wales and N parts of the Midlands. Fronts brought rain across much of the S half of England and Wales and it was mild in parts of S wales and SW England. Snow depths at 1200 GMT included 5 cm at Lerwick, 28 cm at Eskdalemuir, 7 cm at Carlisle and 3 cm at Connaught Airport. (Exeter Airport 12.4C, Kinbrace -3.6C maximum, Dalwhinnie -10.4C minimum, Culdrose 19.2 mm, Kinloss 6.4 h.)

Fronts crossed the British Isles from the SW on the 21st, bringing a spell or rain which fell as snow over higher ground and in the colder areas; it was a dull day as a result. There was a widespread frost overnight away from S Britain and S Ireland, and the frost was notably severe in parts of Scotland. The day became very wet everywhere, with rain, preceded
by snow which lasted for several hours over much of eastern and northern Britain. There was flooding in Devon and Cornwall. Much milder, drier weather pushed steadily across from the W during the afternoon and evening. By early evening falling snow was largely confined to N Scotland. Motorists in Scotland were urged to exercise caution as the band of snow moved across the country. Earlier drivers in the south-west were urged to "avoid unnecessary journeys" following a spate of road accidents. Police said heavy snowfall across Dumfries and Galloway caused problems on roads including the A75, which was blocked just outside Dumfries for a time. Glasgow Airport was closed for a short time while the runway was cleared of snow. In north Devon, several homes were evacuated after "widespread flooding" sparked by heavy rain; by mid-afternoon the Environment Agency had five flood warnings in place for south-west England and 18 flood alerts while there were 17 flood alerts in Wales. Snow affected driving conditions on the A470 between Betws-y-coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. In SW England the A399 at Combe Martin was closed following a landslide, while the A361 was also shut near Landkey in Barnstaple. (Exeter Airport 13.3C, Fylingdales -0.1C maximum, Kinbrace -13.7C minimum, Gogerddan 46.4 mm, Lerwick 0.8 h.)

Minimum temperatures across S Ireland, S Wales and S England into the 22nd were around 7-9C while parts of E Scotland had a slight air frost. Temperatures rose to around 12C in the early ours in S England in places before a cold front cleared from the NW. There was overnight rain in SW England (25 mm fell in places) and parts of S England with places elsewhere reporting slight showers during the day. E England was generally the sunniest area while much of W Britain and N Ireland remaining rather dull. (St Helier 11.8C. Carterhouse 4.2C maximum, Aboyne -3.0C minimum, Tyndrum 35.2 mm (possibly melting snow in the gauge), Jersey Airport 4.9 h.)

The 23rd was a mild day with temperatures reaching 10C in E Scotland and 13C in many parts of England. This followed a mild night in S districts - the minimum temperature at Valentia in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT was 10.3C. There was light rain and drizzle in most areas as fronts passed overhead while heavy rain fell across N Wales, N England and W Scotland in places. The best of the sunshine was to be found across Ireland, following the passage of the rain areas - although the extreme E coast of England and Scotland was also sunny for a time. (Exeter Airport 14.6C, Dalwhinnie 6.5C maximum, Santon Downham 0.1C minimum, Achnagart 37.4 mm (possibly some melting of snow), Morpeth Cockle Park 4.1 h.)

A deepening low, storm Georgina, moved from NW Ireland towards the Northern Isles on the 24th (centre 963 mb at 1200 GMT over Orkney) bringing rain to all areas as its associated fronts moved NE'wards over the British Isles. Much of England remained cloudy but further W there were clearances and sunny spells following the frontal rain. It was mostly rather mild over Scotland and Northern Ireland, and mild or very mild over England and Wales, although it turned rather colder
behind the cold front. There were some gusts of around 80 mph in the most exposed W and N areas in the morning and some of the precipitation fell as snow at times across N Scotland. (Santon Downham 14.3C, Aviemore 4.8C maximum, Fyvie Castle 1.3C minimum, Loch Glascarnoch 45.2 mm, Dyce 6.1 h.)

Low pressure was slow-moving over N Ireland and N England on the 25th and the resulting flow from the SW led to a mainly mild day. It was colder in Cent Scotland with some falls of snow here - while the depression brought a spell of frontal rain to Ireland and W Britain - falls in E England were mainly light. There was hail in places in the W, with isolated thunder. Away from W Scotland and N Ireland most places had sunny spells during the day. (Wisley 11.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 1.5C maximum, Fyvie Castle -2.2C minimum, Kinlochewe 21.4 mm, Tibenham Airfield 6.7 h.)

A weak ridge of high pressure on the 26th led to a day with sunny periods after some overnight air frost. Later in the day more general cloud and then rain spread from the W into W Scotland and across Ireland. (Pembrey Sands 10.3C, Baltasound 2.6C maximum, Strathallan -3.5C minimum, Whitechurch 6.2 mm, Morecambe 6.6 h.)

During the 27th a depression moved steadily NE'wards towards Shetland (pressure on N Shetland was about 988 mb at 2400 GMT). After early frost in places, frontal cloud spread rapidly across all areas with rain and drizzle, and a rise in temperature behind a warm front. A following cold front cleared to give showery outbreaks from the W - and the winds increased in speed in N Scotland especially, with gusts of 70-80 mph in the Western and Northern Isles later in the day. (Hawarden and Keswick 13.6C, Lerwick 7.2C maximum, Shoreham -3.1C minimum, Eskdalemuir 24.0 mm, Dyce 2.7 h.)

A shallow frontal wave depression formed to the W and affected much of Scotland on the 28th, giving a wet day here. It was blustery on the S aside of the low (centre 1002 mb N of Peterhead at 2400 GMT) with some light rain and drizzle in places. Under a warm sector it was mainly mild to the S of the low - with some sunny spells in places. (Monks Wood 15.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.7C maximum, Balmoral 2.9C minimum, Achnagart 31.8 mm, Wittering 5.6 h.)

A weakening cold front drew rain across the British Isles from the NW during the 29th. Pressure rose behind the front - to pass 1032 mb over much of S England, S wales and S Ireland by late evening) - brining clearer weather with it. After a mild night over England (overnight minimum temperatures of 10-11C in places), showers developed across Scotland, becoming wintry places. It was a blustery day until pressure began to rise. (Heathrow 13.5C, Dalwhinnie 3.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 0.9C minimum, Tyndrum 27.8 mm, Thomastown 6.3 h.)

The 30th saw a widespread air frost before dawn in places as S as SE England, along with some fog patches. Rain affected N Scotland at first. During the day much of Cent and E England was sunny, but frontal rain spread across Ireland and into W Scotland associated with low pressure to the W of Shetland. Another area of rain also affected SW and Cent S England. (Isles of Scilly 11.0C, Pennerley 3.8C maximum, Benson -5.6C minimum, Achnagart 72.0 mm (suspect?), Wellesbourne 6.9 h.)

Outbreaks of rain spread SE'wards during the 31st, with brighter skies following to most districts. The wind turned to a NW'ly direction and there were frequent showers in the N and W. Ahead of the rain it was mild in S England, but temperatures fell behind the (cold front) rainfall. Snow fell over Scotland and N Ireland by dawn, with falls in N England by midday and in the Midlands in the afternoon. There was also some hail and isolated thunder. (Swanage 10.6C, Salsburgh 0.4C maximum, Altnahinch Filters -1.0C minimum, Cassley 21.6 mm, Leeming 6.6 h.)

Low pressure towards the NE led to a cold surface flow from the N/NW on the 1st. Overnight showers fell over Ireland and W Britain with some snow falling over high ground here and in N England. Thunder occurred around the Wirral. Showers continued during the day in N Scotland and in W areas of the British Isles, while more general rain fell over parts of E England during the afternoon and early evening. (Swanage 8.9C, Dalwhinnie 2.8C maximum, Kielder Castle -1.7C minimum, Loch Glascarnoch 21.0 mm, Cork Airport 8.1 h.)

Many inland areas had a ground frost into the 2nd and showers, some of them wintry, affected N Scotland overnight. During the day it was generally cloudy with showers close to both W and E coasts. Later in the day frontal rain spread E'wards across Ireland and into some W parts of Britain. Pressure rose slightly during the day, reducing the strong winds in the E. (Cardiff Bute Park 9.7C, Dalwhinnie 3.5C maximum, Salsburgh -0.8C minimum, Bridlington 8.2 mm, Morecambe 7.2 h.)

Away from Ireland there was widespread ground frost into the 3rd before an area of rain spread from the W. Areas of E Scotland and E England also recorded an air frost ahead of the rain. It was a wet day in most areas, with some snow in the N and E - especially over higher ground - as the rain met colder air. It was a dull day in the E, but it brightened up across Ireland and W Scotland as the rain cleared. (St Helier 8.9C, Balmoral 0.9C maximum, Topcliffe -3.9C minimum, Capel Curig 15.8 mm, Shannon Airport 6.7 h.)

Away from S parts of Ireland and England a ground frost was widespread on the 4th, with an air frost in a few areas. E and SE areas of England, in particular, had some showers during the day - as did E Ireland. The best of the sunshine tended to occur in Ireland and W areas of Britain. A SE'ly flow led to a cold day in S areas - but it was milder in the N under a flow from the SW. (Belmullet 10.5C, Balmoral 2.1C maximum, Castlederg -2.1c minimum, Balmoral 6.4 mm, Tiree 7.8 h.)

Away from S Ireland and some coastal areas there was a widespread air frost on the 5th. It was cloudy in many areas during the day and, after a misty start in parts of Ireland, showers affected some areas, notably Cent and E England. There was lying snow over parts of east Kent in the morning. Police warned drivers to take extra care after wintry conditions led to a series of accidents on the M20 motorway in Kent. Later in the day more cloud and some rain spread across Ireland and into W Scotland, with the rain falling as snow on the leading edge in many areas. (Stornoway 7.3C, Spadeadam 0.2C maximum, Katesbridge -6.0c minimum, Tiree 5.8 mm, Wellesbourne 7.7 h.)

Away from W Ireland and the Northern Isles a ground frost was widespread on the 6th with many inland areas having an air frost. There was overnight snow in parts of Ireland and Scotland - and many other areas had spells of sleet or snow during the day. It was a cold day - especially from N England through Wales and the W Midlands to SW England, where it was also a dull day. (Cork Airport 5.8C, Okehampton -0.9C maximum, South Newington -4.6C minimum, Camborne 10.4 mm, Cork Airport 8.5 h.)

Air frost was widespread into the 7th away from W and SW Ireland and SW England and the Channel Islands. There was some overnight snow in parts of E and SE England which slowly cleared away to the E. Frontal rain, turning later to snow as it moved E'wards, affected Ireland in the late morning and Scotland in the afternoon. Away from W Ireland it was a generally cold and cloudy day; ahead of the rain it was sunny across England and SE Scotland. (Belmullet and Valentia 8.5C, Spadeadam -1.0C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -10.1C minimum, Achnagart 10.6 mm, Odiham 7.7 h.)

Fronts were slow-moving from the W during the 8th. Cloud and rain affected Ireland, Scotland and W Britain o overnight - further E there was a widespread air frost. The rain affected Wales, W Britain, Scotland and Ireland during the day and, away from SE England and NE Scotland, it was a mainly dull day. Further outbreaks of rain moved into western and N Scotland and Northern Ireland during the late afternoon and evening. (Hawarden 10.5C, Dalwhinnie 3.8C maximum, Shoreham -6.4C minimum, Capel Curig 46.0 mm, Shoeburyness 6.8 h.)

Frontal rain crossed Britain during the morning of the 9th, with parts of Ireland and W Scotland having an air frost in the clearer air. As the rain cleared away towards the E most of the British Isles had spells of sunshine - an exception was the extreme E of East Anglia and Kent where it remained dull. After a spell of showery conditions, further frontal rain moved into Ireland and W Scotland in the afternoon and evening. (St Helier 7.8C, Dalwhinnie 1.7C maximum, Killylane -2.9C minimum, Usk No.2 12.4 mm, St Athan 8.3 h.)

Fronts pushed E'wards across all areas on the 10th, with a wave depression rapidly crossing the British Isles towards NE England (centred 983 mb at2400 GMT). Ireland, W and N Scotland were frost-free overnight with outbreaks of rain. The rain was followed by showers, but there was little sunshine away from Ireland and N areas of Scotland. Heavy rain spread across many central and northern districts during the afternoon with snow falling across parts of Scotland, N England and N Ireland in the evening. (Hawarden 12.4C, Dalwhinnie 4.8C maximum, Benson -6.5C minimum, Capel Curig 45.2 mm, Kinloss 3.9 h.)

Overnight rain fell as sleet and snow in parts of Scotland, N Ireland and N England into the 11th. As the rain and snow cleared it was followed by showers and sunny intervals from the W. These fell as snow and hail in places - with snow as far S as Cornwall. There was also some isolated thunder heard in NW England. There was an air frost in parts of the N half of the British Isles and a cold day followed everywhere. (Shoreham 8.4C, Banagher Caugh Hill 0.4C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -4.5C minimum, West Freugh 14.4 mm, Charterhall 7.8 h.)

Air frost was widespread inland on the 12th in a NW'ly flow under a weak ridge of high pressure. Overnight showers fell in the W half of the British Isles - wintry in many parts of Scotland and N Ireland. These continued during the day - falling as rain in the S - although most areas also had long sells of sunshine. Rain moved into Ireland in the evening and also extended E'wards across S England. By 2400 GMT a shallow wave depression (centre 991 mb) was located over S Ireland. (Hurn 8.7C, Carterhouse 1.0C maximum, Drumnadrochit -7.1C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 8.2 mm, Manston 8.5 h.)

England and E Scotland had a widespread ground frost into the 13th, ahead of rain (with snow in places away from the S) that moved E'wards across all areas overnight and into the day. Rain was still falling in East Anglia in the late evening, but away from E areas (and especially across Ireland) the rain was followed by sunny periods and a scattering of showers. These showers were wintry over N Scotland. (St Helier 8.7C, Dalwhinnie 0.8C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -1.1C minimum, Achnagart 27.0 mm, Cork Airport 8.8 h.)

There was a widespread air frost over the UK into the 14th - with a ground across much of Ireland - ahead of rain that spread across Ireland by dawn. Parts of E England had some mist and fog patches around dawn. This rain then spread to all areas during the day, with some snow in N and Cent areas. It was a mainly cloudy day, but some sunshine occurred in parts of W Scotland and N and Cent Ireland as milder air moved NE'wards across S areas. Showers behind the main rain areas contained some thunder in the NW in the evening. (Bude 11.5C, Dalwhinnie 2.3C maximum, Topcliffe -7.6C minimum, Shap 21.6 mm, Thomastown 3.3 h.)

A deep low initially to the NW of Scotland early on the 15th led to a blustery day with showers and sunshine. These showers fell as hail and snow in places. It was a cold day across Scotland and N Ireland although, away from W Scotland, most areas had a sunny day. It was mild in SE areas of England. (Langdon Bay 11.0C, Dalwhinnie 1.9C maximum, Killylane -0.2C minimum, Achnagart 39.4 mm, Hawarden 8.3 h.)

Air and ground frosts were fairly widespread on the 16th with rain and some snow overnight across many parts of Ireland and Scotland. E Scotland and most areas of England and Wales had sunny spells for much of the day, although it clouded over from the west, with rain moving into Ireland, and into N and W areas of Britain by late evening. It wasa quite a mild day in S areas. (Plymouth 11.2C, Dalwhinnie 3.3C maximum, South Newington -4.3C minimum, Harris Quidnish 18.6 mm, Tibenham Airfield 8.8 h.)

E areas of England began the 17th with an air frost - with some mist patches - ahead of frontal rain in W areas that moved further E'wards, weakening as it did so, during the day. The rain tended to die out over the E Midlands and East Anglia in the early afternoon. Showery conditions affected W areas during the day, but most areas saw brighter weather during the day. It was mostly quite mild, especially over England and Wales. In the evening a further area of rain reached S wares of England and Ireland from the W. (Hereford 11.9C, Dalwhinnie 3.5C maximum, Odiham -3.1C minimum, Cluanie Inn 17.8 mm, Aberdaron 9.1 h.)

On the 18th rain and drizzle spread slowly eastwards, but it was a dry day in the E and SE of England until the evening. There was an early ground frost in E Britain and in parts of E Ireland while there were areas of mist and fog in E England around dawn. The day was dull in most areas, although there was some sunshine ahead of the rain in NE Scotland, E and SE England. Some coasts and hills were foggy at during the day. The day turned mild as the rain arrived. (North Wyke 12.8C, Dalwhinnie 3.5C maximum, Aboyne -4.6C minimum, Port Ellen 10.4 mm, Manston 7.7 h.)

Slow-moving fronts led to a mainly dull day on the 19th. The cloud led to a relatively mild night in most areas - Ireland was misty overnight and as early rain moved E'wards patches of mist and fog formed in W Britain. A rather misty day followed in all areas and temperatures in many areas reach 10C. The best of any sunshine was to be found in Ireland with most of the UK having a dull day. (Cardiff Bute Park 14.2C, Inverbervie 6.0C maximum, Baltasound 1.0C minimum, Harris Quidnish 10.0 mm, Cork Airport 4.2 h.)

There was some rain overnight into the 20th in E Britain as high pressure began to build in the W - centred at 1032 mb over Cent Scotland by 2400 GMT. Many districts were quite sunny, but there were some showers in the NW, and much of E and SE England was quite cloudy with patchy rain. Away from the rain most areas were mild during the day - with areas around the Irish Sea being quite sunny. (Strathallan 12.0C, Cromer 5.6C maximum, Katesbridge -0.9C minimum, Lerwick 8.8 mm, Dundrennan 8.9 h.)

The 21st dawned mist in E England, across many parts of Ireland, and in a few other areas - under high pressure that led to a widespread ground frost. Air frost was widespread over Ireland and Scotland. The day was largely dry, apart from some patchy rain in parts of E England as the high pressure moved NE'wards. Ireland, S England and much of Scotland had a sunny day, with rather cloudy conditions over Cent England and East Anglia. It was mild in places in the sunnier areas. (Bridgefoot 10.5C, High Wycombe 4.4C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -6.0C minimum, Scarborough 2.8 mm, Charterhall 8.9 h.)

The British Isles lay under a slight ridge from an area of high pressure over Scandinavia on the 22nd. There were a few patches of rain at first, mainly in E and Cent areas and in parts of Ireland. Away from Ireland there was air frost in places and a widespread ground frost - with some mist in many E and S areas of England. Most places remained dry during the day - although it was generally rather cloudy away from parts of E and S England. (Valentia 9.1C, Leek 1.6C maximum, Shap -5.4C minimum, Machrihanish 4.2 mm, Bude 9.3 h.)

There was a widespread air frost over England, Wales and E Scotland into the 23rd along with widespread mist and haze in many areas by dawn. The day was mainly dry, although there were a few showers over Ireland and W Scotland. Elsewhere, there were long sunny spells in places. (Kinlochewe 8.1C, Okehampton 1.3C maximum, South Newington -7.1C minimum, Frittenden 0.2 mm, Yeovilton 9.4 h.)

The 24th was mostly sunny, dry and cold with some places in England having one of their sunniest February days on record (in excess of 9 h of bright sunshine). Air frost was widespread over England, Wales and Scotland, while during the day parts of Ireland remained rather misty. Ireland, W and N Scotland were rather cloudy and cold. (Pembrey Sands 8.9C, Killylane 1.4C maximum, Wiggonholt -5.5C minimum, Lerwick 0.2 mm, Valley 9.7 h.)

High pressure over Scandinavia brought a brisk flow from the E across S parts of the UK on the 25th. After a widespread air frost (with some early mist over Ireland) the day was generally dry, cold and sunny. Light wintry showers began to affect eastern coastal districts during the evening. The day was, again, one of the sunniest in February on record at many locations - although parts of E and NE Scotland were rather dull. (Mona 9.4C, Lake Vyrnwy 1.6C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -8.4C minimum, Baltasound 2.4 mm, Aberdaron, Valley 10.1 h.)

Except in some northwestern areas, it was very cold on the 26th. Air frost was widespread away from W Ireland and W Scotland. There was some sunshine, especially in the north and southwest, but also a lot of snow showers, especially over England. However, the water content of the snow was very low, with little water equivalent in raingauges, and generally a fairly rapid evaporation/sublimation of temporary snow cover. With further snow forecast, rail firms warned of disruption, with Southeastern advising passengers to complete journeys by 1800 GMT. A snow emergency was declared in Kent this afternoon. (Valentia 7.3C, Lake Vyrnwy -1.3C maximum, Aviemore -6.0C minimum, Dyce 1.8 mm, Lerwick 9.3 h.)

High pressure on the 27th continued to draw very cold air into the UK. After a widespread air frost (only a few coastal locations in W coastal areas of the UK and Ireland escaped this) it was a very cold day, exceptionally cold in much of the SE. There was some sunshine, but widespread snow showers. Longer spells of snow affected the extreme SE overnight, and also moved W'wards across much of Scotland, N England, the NW Midlands and N and W Wales overnight, with further prolonged outbreaks over much of E Scotland and NE England during the day. There was isolated thunder near the E coast. Hundreds of trains were cancelled, many schools closed with Kent, Surrey, Suffolk and Sussex among the worst-hit counties, seeing 5-10 cm of snow, while NE England received up to 8 cm as of 1000 GMT. Overnight, rail operators ran empty trains to keep tracks clear of snow, but hundreds of services were cancelled. The A19 in North Yorkshire was closed after a snow-related crash, and some lanes on motorways were blocked due to the snow. (Belmullet 7.5C. Wych Cross -2.5C maximum, South Farnborough -8.9C minimum, Morpeth Cockle Park 8.4 mm, Camborne 8.5 h.)

The 28th was exceptionally cold, with persistent frost in all except a few S and W districts and a fresh E'ly wind, bringing widespread snow showers. These were particularly heavy, and essentially persistent, off the long sea track into NE England and E Scotland; there was some thunder too, notably in the Newcastle area. Widespread disruption resulted. Away from the shower tracks it was quite sunny, chiefly in the S and W. Commuters were warned of major disruption on the road and rail networks after a second day of severe weather across the UK. There were major travel problems in Glasgow as well as many other places around the UK. The worst affected areas in England were Kent, East Anglia and NE England. Flights to and from Glasgow were cancelled while more than 100 flights at Heathrow were dropped and services at London City were also suspended. Schools in Wales were set to close until next week while more than 2,624 schools in England and 1,600 in Scotland were shut. Rural communities were warned they could be cut off by power outages and mobile phone signal failures. Most flights out of Edinburgh were cancelled. Train services impacted include c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, Grand Central, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains, London Overground, Merseyrail, Northern, ScotRail, South Western Railway, Southeastern, Stansted Express, TfL Rail, TransPennine Express, Virgin Trains and Virgin Trains East Coast. Major problems and closures on main roads across the country including various parts of the A1, and the A66 across the Pennines. The Met Office issued a red warning for snow, only the second ever issued by the Met Office for snow - with the first covering Wales in 2013. A boy in Basildon, Essex, was saved by firefighters after he got trapped in the middle of a frozen lake when the ice broke up. Police in Macclesfield said they arrested two suspected thieves after tracking their footprints through the snow. Hospitals in Glasgow, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole cancelled all outpatient appointments while Harrogate hospital asked staff who can walk to work to go in to cover shifts. Chatham Ski and Snowboard Centre in Gillingham, Kent, was forced to close because of the heavy snow. (Belmullet 3.8C, Braemar -5.3C maximum, South Farnborough -11.7C minimum, Ravensworth 6.8 mm, Guernsey Airport 9.3 h.)

High pressure over Scandinavia continued to bring a cold E'ly flow across the British Isles on the 1st. Air frost was widespread and only in a few coastal areas did the air temperature rise above 0C during the day. Showers and longer spells of snowfall were widespread across the British Isles. England and Wales had a rather dull day but there were long spells of sunshine in parts of N and W Scotland, with sunny intervals across W Ireland and in many other areas of Scotland. Even the Isles of Scilly had heavy snow in the evening and in many places it was the coldest March day in over a century according to the daytime maximum temperatures. UK roads, railways and airports were severely affected by snow for a third day, with thousands of schools shut. A seven-year-old girl died after a car crashed into a house in Looe, Cornwall, while a 75-year-old woman has been found dead in a snowy street in Leeds. National Grid warned that there may not be enough gas to meet demand in the UK, leading to possible shortages for industrial users. More than 300 people were stranded on a motorway in Scotland in freezing temperatures overnight into today - some for 20 hours. The M66 between Ramsbottom and Bury was closed due to a 16-vehicle crash. In Lincolnshire, drivers were stuck overnight on the A52 between Boston and Skegness. Lincolnshire Police said all major routes in the county were blocked either by snow, HGVs or cars. Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators were running a reduced service. In London, Paddington Station was closed for nearly three hours due to severe weather conditions. National Rail was reporting mass disruption in the Scotland, NE England, SE England and SW England. Arriva Trains Wales was running amended timetables throughout Wales and all trains from Cardiff to Manchester were disrupted. Airports across Britain were being affected by the cold weather, and the knock-on effect of other terminals across the UK and Europe cancelling flights. At Glasgow Airport more than 200 passengers spent the night in the terminal. (Malin Head 2.8C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park -5.2C maximum, Kinloss -10.3C minimum, Fyvie Castle 3.2 mm, Loch Glascarnoch 6.4 h.)

The 2nd was another cold day across the British Isles, although across much of Ireland, W Scotland, SW England and the Channel Islands the temperature did rise above 0C during the day. Parts of E England also rose above 0C despite it being a dull day almost everywhere. The E'ly winds were accompanied by gusts of 60-70 mph in some of the more exposed parts of England and Wales, although the wind did ease slowly during the day. There were further frequent snow showers over E and N Scotland, and outbreaks of snow moved north across much of England and Wales as fronts moved N'wards here. Parts of SW England had gale-driven heavy snow and parts of S England reported freezing rain for a time. The fronts bright less cold air and rain into southernmost Britain, chiefly Scilly and the Channel Islands - while the snowfall across Scotland and Ireland tended to diminish as the day progressed. Reported snow depths included Casement Aerodrome 19 cm, Carlisle 16 cm, Dublin Airport 14 cm, Emley Moor 14 cm, Lossiemouth 10 cm and Odiham 10 cm. Flights and trains were cancelled and thousands of schools were shut. Rail networks including Southeastern, South Western and ScotRail advised people not to travel on their routes. More than 13,000 customers were without power in SW England, S Wales and the Midlands. Major incidents were declared in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Avon and Somerset, as blizzards brought roads to a standstill. The M62 near Manchester was closed "indefinitely" while the military helped police free stranded motorists. Officers were loaned poles to search for vehicles buried on the A386 in Devon. The Environment Agency issued 15 flood warnings and 36 flood alerts for coastal areas in the SW England and NE England. Severe flooding was reported in Penzance, Cornwall, due to high river levels and swollen seas caused by storm Emma. There was a warning of black ice on the M6, while some of the worst problems were near Rochdale on the M62 and on the A303 near Ilminster and the A31 in the New Forest. Much of Wales was brought to a standstill, where routine operations were cancelled as health boards made a plea for staff to attend work. Travel conditions in Scotland remained treacherous. Passengers who boarded a South Western Railway train to Weymouth at 1705 GMT on Thursday were still in their carriages on Friday morning after their train broke down in the middle of the night. Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators were running a reduced service. Most airports cancelled flights and suffered delays. (St Helier 6.7C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park -3.9C maximum, Baltasound -6.7C minimum, Isles of Scilly 33.8 mm, Kirkwall 1.8 h.)

Away from parts of W Scotland and N Ireland - and on Scilly and the Channel Islands where minimum temperatures overnight were 3-4C - the 3rd began with another widespread air frost. Temperatures then rose above 0C in most areas away from high ground. Most places were dull with mist and fog in many areas as milder air from the S met the cold, melting snow-covered surface and the snow thawed. There were further outbreaks of snow in many N areas following overnight falls in E England and parts of Ireland. By midnight falling snow was largely confined to NE Scotland with reports of light rain in many other parts of the British Isles. Snow depths this morning included St Athan 55 cm, Drumalbin 46 cm, Glasgow 40 cm, Spadeadam 36 cm, Wittering 33 cm and Hereford 27 cm. Hundreds of people remained without power, and motorists and rail passengers were told to expect continued disruption on roads and railways. The Environment Agency had 13 flood warnings in operation by midday, mainly in the south-west and north-east England. There was a warning of for much of SE England, the Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, government ministers asked for volunteers to help in clearing up local roads and pavements, and checking on vulnerable people. In Dawlish, Devon, the coastal rail line reopened after being closed on Saturday morning, due to flooding caused by high tides. The M62 in Greater Manchester reopened in the early hours of Saturday, having been shut for more than a day due to severe weather conditions. A number of football games in the Championship and the Scottish Premiership have been postponed. Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators were running a reduced service with Virgin Trains not running any services north of Newcastle on Saturday, with their route between Carlisle and Scotland closed with no replacement buses running. Arriva Trains Wales said a limited service was running and passengers have been advised only to travel if essential up until Monday morning. Glasgow Airport was open after "the worst snowfall in its history" but still warned of delays and cancellations. Other airports also reopened but with much-reduced capacity. (St Helier 9.7C, Carterhouse -1.9C maximum, Pennerley -4.5C minimum, Okehampton 31.4 mm, Morecambe 3.8 h.)

Cent areas of England and Scotland had an air frost on the 4th while a shallow area of low pressure remained slow-moving close to SE Ireland throughout the day. Away from Shetland and the S half of England and Wales it was a cloudy day. Scotland remained cold with some snowfalls, and some snow also fell in N England for a while. S Britain was milder with showers, and a longer spell of rain E of London. There was widespread mist, and some patches of fog, in many areas of Ireland, Wales and in N ad Cent England as warmer air met thawing snow. Icy roads continued to cause disruption in parts of the UK. Many rail services continued to be affected by lying snow and ice. Meanwhile, many rural communities in south-west England which had been cut off by poor conditions could now be reached. People in parts of London and SE England were being urged to only use water when it is "essential" after supplies were hit following the severe weather. On Sunday evening Devon County Council said the roads to cut-off communities such as Lynmouth and Lynton were now clear. (Chivenor 11.7C, Balmoral 0.1C maximum, Newton Rigg -2.4C minimum, Boscombe Down 62.6 mm, Hurn 6.0 h.)

Low pressure remained centred over the British Isles on the 5th leading to outbreaks of rain that moved N'wards over many areas during the day. Away from the rain it remained misty in many areas. Few places had an overnight air frost and temperatures rose during the day to above 10C in parts of S and E England. Extensive snow cover remained in parts of Wales and Cumbria, and over high ground in Scotland and many of these areas had fog patches during the day. Much of W and N England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland had a dull day with some persistent rain in places. (Weybourne 11.9C, Balmoral 1.0C maximum, Shap -3.1C minimum, Whitechurch 28.6 mm, Waddington 4.6 h.)

Pressure remained low on the 6th. Rain moved slowly N'wards across many areas overnight and during the day, with further snowfall in N and Cent Scotland. Drier weather, with brighter intervals, followed from the S - although it remained sunless in much of N Ireland, N England and Scotland. More rain moved into the Channel Islands during the afternoon and into parts of S England in the evening. It was again cold across the N half of Scotland, but mild in S England.
Persistent rain and melting snow caused flooding across Scotland, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued multiple alerts for E, S and west central Scotland. Police warned of severe flooding on the A92 between Dundee and Montrose. In the NE Scotland, ScotRail said flooding between Dyce and Inverurie had closed the line and meant services could not operate between Aberdeen and Inverness. Flood alerts were also issued for Aberdeenshire, Tayside, the Lothians, Dumfries and Galloway and west central Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 11.4C, Dalwhinnie 0.5C maximum, Libanus -0.8C minimum, Glasgow 41.2 mm, Exeter Airport 5.6 h.)

A centre of low pressure remained slow-moving to the N of Ireland on the 7th. Many areas had an early ground frost with an air frost in parts of E Scotland, and in E and Cent England. Mist and fog were widespread at first while areas of rain cleared SE England and Scotland during the morning. Showery spells of rain affected many areas during the day, with some reports of hail. Snow continued to fall at times over higher ground in Scotland and N England - but most areas had spells of sunshine during the day. (St. James Park 11.7C, Dalwhinnie 3.4C maximum, Dalwhinnie -3.3C minimum, Aboyne 21.2 mm, Aberdaron 9.9 h.)

There was a widespread air frost into the 8th across Scotland, Ireland and N England as rain moved across England and Wales overnight; this rain fell as snow in parts of N Wales and N England. The rain gradually cleared from Cent and E areas of England and many places then had some showers and sunny spells during the day. More than 120 schools were closed and there were hazardous driving conditions after heavy snowfall early in the day over N Wales. The A470 in Conwy county was closed for a time while snow also affected the A487 in Gwynedd and the A55 from Bangor to Halkyn, Flintshire. Commuters faced delays in the morning rush hour after overnight snow brought disruption to parts of Yorkshire. Bus services were affected with some operators, including Arriva Yorkshire, suspending services in parts of the county. Hundreds of schools across West, South and North Yorkshire closed or started later. Leeds Bradford Airport said it had been experiencing delays due to the weather. (Hurn 11.3C, Dalwhinnie 3.2C maximum, Katesbridge -6.1C minimum, Aberdaron 19.0 mm, Herstmonceux 9.2 h.)

Away from coastal areas and S parts of England and Ireland there was a widespread air frost into the 9th with mist patches in parts of Cent England and Cent Ireland by dawn. Rain spread N into S England during the morning and moved N'wards - affecting all but Scotland by late evening. It was a sunny day across Scotland and Northern Ireland - but remained dull over S areas of England, Wales and Ireland. (Jersey Airport 11.4C, Braemar 4.8C maximum, Katesbridge -6.0C minimum, Cardiff Bute Park 17.2 mm, Charterhall 9.9 h.)

There was a north-south split of the minimum temperatures into the 10th with an air frost across many inland areas of Scotland (that was sharp in parts of E Scotland) - while in SW Cornwall overnight minima did not drop below 10C in places. Rain over England, Wales and Ireland made little progress N'wards into Scotland and N Scotland remained dry with some sunshine throughout the day. Elsewhere it was a rather dull day - SW England and few places in Cent Ireland being exceptions - with rain at times that fell as snow over higher ground in N England. The weather gradually cleared up from the SW with widespread mist and fog patches in the evening from S Scotland southwards. (Kew Gardens 15.3C, Braemar 1.8C maximum, Kinbrace -8.6C minimum, Capel Curig 29.8 mm, Camborne 6.3 h.)

The 11th dawned with widespread mist and fog from cent Scotland S'wards; further north rain moved N'wards overnight and large cleared N Scotland by midday. An area of low pressure moving N'wards (centred at 980 mb close to Jersey by 2400 GMT) spread further rain N'wards across Ireland, Wales ad England during the day - with some thundery conditions in parts of Cent S and SE England in the evening. Many areas had a rather cloudy day although it was quite warm in S England. (Wiggonholt 15.3C, Lerwick 3.4C maximum, Shobdon -0.5C minimum, Harris Quidnish 17.6 mm, Tiree 6.4 h.)

An area of low pressure moved NE'wards during the 12th across the SE corner of England. Overnight rain S Ireland and much of England and Wales - with some mist and fog patches in places by dawn. This rain persisted across England and Wales for much of the day, making only slow progress E'wards. There were a few showers across Scotland and N Ireland during the day (mainly across E Scotland) with the best of any sunshine being found in W Scotland and N and W Ireland. (Hurn 12.5C, Dalwhinnie 3.2C maximum, Tyndrum -2.5C minimum, Sheffield 28.6 mm, Tiree 7.3 h.)

Ground frost was widespread away from E and S England on the 13th. Overnight rain largely cleared E England during the morning, while many parts of Cent and W England had some early mist patches. It remained rather cloudy in E areas of the UK; further W the day was showery with sunny intervals. It was especially sunny in and around Wales. During the evening an area of cloud and rain spread E'wards over much of Ireland. (Hurn 13.1C, Balmoral 5.6C maximum, Katesbridge -2.4C minimum, Cromer 13.6 mm, St Athan 10.2 h.)

A deep area of low pressure close to SW Ireland in the 14th (MSL pressure around 976 mb in SW Ireland at 2400 GMT) spread rain across much of Ireland and into W areas of the UK during the day. Away from W areas there was a widespread ground in the UK before dawn with an air frost in parts of E Scotland and N and Cent England. In W Ireland overnight minimum temperatures remained above 9C in places. It was misty in E England around dawn. The day was wet in SW England across Ireland; 32 mm of rain fell at Valentia in the 24 hours ending 1800 GMT. Later in the day the rain spread into much of S England. E areas of England and Scotland had some sunny intervals and a blustery flow from the SE became developed across all areas during the day.(Gravesend 14.2C, Balmoral 5.4C maximum, Shap -3.9C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 42.6 mm, Shoeburyness 8.2 h.)

Pressure remained to the SW of Ireland on the 15th. Rain moved slowly NE'wards over much of England, Wales, Ireland and SW Scotland overnight; it then persisted for much of the day over NE England and edged N'wards over Scotland, although N Scotland was mostly dry. Brighter, showery weather followed the rain - and there was more general rain later in SW England. It was a windy day across Scotland but turned milder in the showery areas - where there were also sunny intervals. (Porthmadog 15.9C, Braemar 2.8C maximum, Braemar 2.0C minimum, Tyndrum 34.6 mm, Valley 5.3 h.)

Many areas of Ireland, Wales and England had outbreaks of rain, with misty conditions, overnight into the 16th,
During the day, Wales, S and Cent England then brightened up, although there were showers and isolated thunder. Much of S England, Wales and S Ireland were quite sunny, and it was mild inland. Over Scotland, N Ireland, N and E England it was mostly cloudy, windy and cold or very cold with outbreaks of rain, although NW Scotland was dry, brighter and not as cold. (Northolt 14.6C, Balmoral 1.4C maximum, Braemar 0.7C minimum, Chillingham Barns 35.6 mm, Camborne 10.1 h.)

During the 17th unseasonably cold air spread SW'wards overnight, preceded by rain in parts of the south and southwest. The day brought blustery winds, widespread snow showers, with longer spells of mostly light snow in the south. There were brighter spells in the west and north, and NW Scotland was dry, quite sunny and rather less cold than
elsewhere; in many other districts temperatures were below freezing all day. The heaviest snow showers affected NE England into the North Midlands, as well as parts of S England - including Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. Snow and ice has gripped parts of the UK as a result of the cold air; more than 100 flights to and from Heathrow Airport were cancelled and drivers were warned to take care. National Rail has advised passengers to check for service disruptions before travelling. The snow spread as far W as E Ireland. In North Yorkshire mountain rescue teams rescued 30 runners who were treated with hypothermia while undertaking a 55-mile ultramarathon in blizzard conditions. By 2400 GMT MSL pressure had reached 1030 mb over Shetland. (Isles of Scilly 8.6C, Fylingdales -1.6C maximum, Fylingdales -3.4C minimum, Culdrose 20.2 mm, Stornoway 10.9 h.)

There was a widespread air frost into the 18th - notably severe for the season under clear skies in the southwest, before snow arrived here, having spread westwards across England and Wales. Another unseasonably cold day, with penetrating winds, followed over most of England, Wales, Ireland and S Scotland; temperatures were below freezing
throughout the 24 hours in many part of England and Wales - a very rare event for mid-March on such a widespread scale. The Channel Islands and Scilly, and some of the more N'ly areas, were rather less cold with some rain; elsewhere there were further outbreaks of snow. It was foggy at times in the snow. As the day developed the snowfall gradually eased in E areas og the UK. At least one hospital in Devon was asking for volunteer drivers to help ferry staff to and from its facilities. Some airports were shut for a while and several sporting events have been cancelled, including the Reading half-marathon, as some roads were impassable. Bristol Airport was closed temporarily due to the snowfall. Overnight on Saturday, officers from Lincolnshire Police spent seven hours digging out 35 stranded vehicles after they became stuck in snow drifts on the A158 near Edlington. There were delays on the Severn Bridge as high winds caused the closure of a lane. South Western Railway warned freezing temperatures were causing numerous points failures, including at Eastleigh and Aldershot. Cheshire Police warned there was "no route to safely cross the Pennines into Cheshire". In Cumbria, mountain rescue teams were called to help 15 people stuck in a cafe near Kirkby Stephen, and an ambulance that could not reach patients in Langdale. The City of Lincoln 10km and Shrewsbury 10km run were called off, as were half-marathons in Wigan and Wilmslow. Ice resulted in delays and 37 cancellations at Gatwick Airport on Sunday night. (Kinlochewe 6.7C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park -3.1C maximum, Baltasound -6.2C minimum, Otterbourne Water Works 5.4 mm, Lerwick 11.3 h.)

There was a widespread air frost on the 19th with a severe frost under the clearer skies and lighter winds in Scotland. The exceptionally cold air and penetrating easterly wind extended southwards to the Channel Islands and Scilly, and persisted over the S and SW of England during the day under cloudy skies; there was some further snow overnight, as well as during the day over the southwest peninsula and the Channel Islands. Many other districts were sunny, with the sunny conditions gradually edging S'wards; there was a steady thaw of lying snow as a result in most places. However, another area of cloud and a few light showers moved S'wards over E Scotland and NE England later, as a N'ly flow became established over much of the UK. Much of the UK awoke to severe weather warnings of ice. A 64-mile stretch of the A30 in Devon was closed but reopened on Monday morning. Overnight dozens of vehicles stranded were on the A30 in Devon and hundreds of schools were closed in SW England and Wales the snow continued to cause disruption. A 64-mile stretch of the A30 from the M5 at Exeter to near Bodmin in Cornwall was closed by Devon and Cornwall Police to allow its officers and Highways England to clear the route. The runway at Exeter Airport closed for a while but later re-opened. (Achnagart 9.5C, Okehampton -0.5C maximum, Altnaharra -10.3C minimum, Dunkeswell 6.4 mm, Tiree 11.8 h.)

High pressure to the SW of the British Isles on the 20th resulted in a widespread air frost overnight; however, it was marginally milder overnight in parts of Cent and E England as some frontal cloud, rain and sleet moved SE'wards here. This area of cloud and some light rain then pivoted to lie from E Wales to North Yorkshire in the afternoon; most of the rain was at its eastern end. It was a sunny day across Ireland, S Scotland, W Wales and SW England - with sunny periods elsewhere at times. It turned cloudy over NW Scotland and N Ireland later in the day. It was a cold day in many areas - an exception being some of the sunnier parts of Scotland and Ireland. It was locally very cold in some of the cloudier locations and over the
remaining snow cover, particularly in Devon. (Killowen 11.0C, Okehampton 4.5C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -9.5C minimum, Okehampton 4.0 mm, Aberdaron 11.6 h.)

Away from W areas of Scotland and Ireland, the Northern Isles and parts of SW England, the 21st had a widespread air frost before dawn. Cloud and rain spread SE'wards across Scotland and into N parts of Ireland, Wales and England later. Elsewhere it was a mainly sunny day, especially in SE England and East Anglia. It was mildest across Ireland and in N and E Scotland, along with the sunnier SE of England - and rather cool elsewhere. (Derrylin Cornahoule 13.3C, Okehampton 4.7C maximum, Topcliffe -6.1C minimum, Cluanie Inn 28.6 mm, Wattisham 10.1 h.)

A rather cloudy night into the 22nd meant only a slight ground frost in a few places. Overnight rain cleared E England in the morning and most E areas then had a day with sunny periods. Approaching low pressure in the W (centre 992 mb over SW Ireland by 2400 GMT) brought cloud and then rain from the W leading to a dull day in W and Cent areas of the British Isles. 15 mm of rain fell in the period 0600-1800 GMT at Valentia. It was a mild day in the sunny areas in the E, cooler elsewhere. (Fyvie Castle 15.1C, Liscombe 5.5C maximum, Exeter Airport -2.2C minimum, Killowen 7.0 mm, Dyce 6.7 h.)

Cloud and rain spread across all areas overnight into the 23rd and then cleared from N Scotland during the day. Showers and sunny intervals followed during the day. In the afternoon further rain, heaviest in SW England and S Wales, moved N'wards towards Cent Ireland and N England by the evening as a deep depression moved E'wards into Biscay. (Gravesend 14.4C, Resallach 5.4C maximum, Lough Fea 3.0C minimum, Resallach 28.6 mm, Boulmer 7.3 h.)

There was an air frost into the 24th in inland areas of Scotland and in parts of E and N Ireland. Elsewhere rain and drizzle was widespread overnight leading to some misty conditions. Scotland and Ireland had sunny spells and some showers during the day. Elsewhere was mostly dull and misty, with hill fog and patchy drizzle; there were some spells of rain from SW England to the Wash that then slowly moved away towards the SE - much of Cent, SE and S England remained misty into the evening. Away from the sunshine it was rather cold. (Killowen 13.9C, Okehampton 5.7C maximum, Castlederg -3.7C minimum, Culdrose 15.8 mm, Tiree 11.5 h.)

Away from the misty S, Cent and E areas of England there was a widespread ground frost into the 25th - with an air frost in many places. During the day SE England was mostly cloudy with isolated light showers. Most other districts were sunny, although it was cloudier with some showers in parts of Scotland and N and Cent Ireland. Some of the sunnier areas became quite mild. (Usk No.2 14.6C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.6C maximum, Katesbridge -4.8C minimum, Achnagart 7.6 mm, Morecambe 11.5 .)

Ground frost was widespread into the 26th with a widespread air frost across Scotland and N halves of Ireland and England. There was some rain across N Scotland overnight but much of the British Isles (away from W Ireland) was sunny with temperatures rising to around normal. Later in the day rain spread into S Ireland and SW England before spreading across Ireland, Wales and W England by midnight. 9 mm of rain fell at Sherkin Island during 0600-1800 GMT. (Charlwood 14.5C, Baltasound 5.4C maximum, Eskdalemuir -4.9C minimum, Culdrose 7.8 mm, Stornoway 10.0 h.)

Rain spread NE'wards overnight into the 27th and during the morning - affecting all areas of the British Isles. Ahead of the rain there was an air frost in parts of E Scotland. Brighter weather and showers followed the rain from the W. It was locally mild in the brighter areas, but mostly rather cold in the N - and windy in N Scotland. (Kew Gardens 15.9C, Craibstone 4.7C maximum, Aviemore -3.1C minimum, West Freugh 18.6 mm, Valley 5.8 h.)

On the 28th a lengthy period of rain crossed S Britain, and rain persisted in NE Scotland. Otherwise, there were bright spells and showers; these conditions spread to most southern counties during the day - which was generally quite cold. (Helens Bay 11.6C, Lerwick 3.1C maximum, Drumnadrochit -0.9C minimum, Kirkwall 20.8 mm, Tiree 8.5 h.)

Many places had a frost into the 29th, which was slight except in some northern areas. There were then sunny spells before showers and some longer spells of rain moved NE'wards across most S and Cent areas during the day. Isolated thunder occurred in S Britain. Away from some of the brighter areas, it was quite cold - very cold in N Scotland, where there was a little snowfall. (Hull East Park 12.2C, Lerwick 3.3C maximum, Dalwhinnie -7.0C minimum, Hurn 13.8 mm, Stornoway 12.2 h.)

Overnight into the 30th outbreaks of rain continued to move N'wards across northern regions overnight, turning to snow as they progressed across parts of N England and Scotland. S Britain had a mix of showers, a touch of frost overnight and a few fog patches. During the day, there was some sunshine, mainly in W areas, but further rain moved N'wards across S Britain, except Cornwall, and continued over Scotland. It was mostly cold or very cold, except locally in N England. (Levens Hall 10.6C, Balmoral 2.4C maximum, Dalwhinnie -2.3C minimum, Killowen 21.2 mm, Tiree 9.4 h.)

The 31st was mostly cold or very cold and cloudy with outbreaks of rain, and some snow in parts of Scotland. It was sunny across N Scotland. (Chertsey Abbey Mead 9.9C, Fylingdales 1.8C maximum, Baltasound -3.3C minimum, Okehampton 31.2 mm, Lerwick 11.3 h.)

Away from E England (where there was some rain and drizzle) there was a widespread ground frost into the 1st, accompanied by an air frost in many places. Some light snow fell overnight in SE Scotland. It was cloudy with further rain in E England for a while. During the day it was quite sunny in parts of Scotland but it was generally a cold day everywhere. Further snow fell in parts of Scotland during the day - which was dull in E and S England and in W Ireland. More general rain spread steadily NE'wards across England and Wales during the afternoon and evening, and this turned to snow in places away from the southernmost counties of England (Isles of Scilly 10.3C, Fylingdales 2.7C maximum, Tulloch Bridge -8.8C minimum, Isles of Scilly 22.8 mm, Tiree 12.2 h.)

An E'ly flow around low pressure to the SW of the British Isles led to an unsettled day on the 2nd. Scotland had a widespread ground frost and an inland air frost at first, followed by a mainly dry and sunny day. Elsewhere the low system brought frontal rain to most areas with snow over high ground, especially across N Wales, N England and S and Cent Scotland. It turned milder from the S. Travellers returning from bank holiday trips faced delays as heavy rain and snow closed roads. Up to 10 cm of snow covered parts of Scotland, N England and N Wales, while heavy rain in southern England led to some flood warnings. As of 1700 GMT the Environment Agency had issued 26 flood warnings and 205 flood alerts in England, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 1 flood alert and 2 flood warnings for people in Scotland; Natural Resources Wales had one flood warning and 12 flood alerts in place for Wales. Roads closed by floods and snow included the A616 in South Yorkshire in both directions between A628 (Hazelhead) and A6102 (Deepcar), the A628 Woodhead Pass in both directions due to snowy weather conditions between the A616 and A57 and four major routes in Derbyshire. (Filton 13.9C, Spadeadam 0.3C maximum, Altnaharra -6.0C minimum, Capel Curig 52.6 mm, Kirkwall 10.3 h.)

Low pressure remained centred to the SW of the British Isles on the 3rd. Parts of Cent Scotland had an air frost overnight, but across S England the night was relatively mild. Over most of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of N England it was very cold and wet, with snow in places - especially on the Scottish hills. Most of S Ireland, England and Wales was quite mild and showery - with sunny periods away from SE England and East Anglia; these regions remained rather dull. The showers were thundery in parts of Northern Ireland, Cent and NE England. Flood warnings were in place across the UK after the wet Easter weather caused many rivers to overflow their banks. The West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and the North East were among the worst affected areas. In the morning, York's 16.5 tonne Foss Barrier was lowered in an attempt to combat the rising water level where the river joins the Ouse. The Environment Agency released a warning for properties along the Ouse, which overflowed its banks, saying flooding was expected and immediate action was required. In Wiltshire, the Avon was higher than usual and blue flood barriers were put into place along the banks. Multiple flood warnings were in place in the West Midlands along the river Severn. Three people and a dog were rescued from a car stuck in floodwater in Derbyshire, and firefighters helped residents in North Yorkshire after overnight flooding. (Hull East Park 16.2C, Salsburgh 1.1C maximum, Dalwhinnie -1.7C minimum, Salsburgh 22.0 mm, Camborne 7.6 h.)

On the 4th most places were cloudy with outbreaks of rain, and some further snowfalls in Scotland and N England. However, W and N Scotland had long sunny spells in places and W Ireland was also sunny. Later in the day, mostly dry weather extended SE'wards across Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the showers weakened in the south. It remained cold in N and Cent areas of the UK and was cool in the S. However, parts of E England turned milder. (Weybourne 15.3C, Salsburgh 0.0C maximum, Baltasound -1.1C minimum, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 26.6 mm, Lerwick 11.6 h.)

Most inland areas away from S and E England had an air frost into the 5th as patchy rain (and snow in parts of Scotland) cleared away to the E. Most areas then had a dry and sunny day - although some showers affected the Northern Isles and cloud and rain spread into Ireland then SW Scotland later in the day. Parts of N Scotland had also had a few snow showers during the day. It remained generally cold in many areas during the day. (Gravesend 13.5C, Lerwick 4.7C maximum, Dalwhinnie -6.9C minimum, Carterhouse 10.0 mm, Altnaharra 11.9 h.)

Low pressure to the W on the 6th gradually drew air from the SE across parts of the UK during the day. There was a slight ground frost in E areas of the UK overnight with an air frost across parts of E and N Scotland. Overnight and during the day, rain across Ireland and SW Scotland spread into W Britain and across Scotland - leaving misty conditions in the evening over Ireland as it cleared away. Valentia reported 25 mm of rain in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT. The best of the sunshine was to be found in the drier E parts of England - most notably across parts of East Anglia and Cent S and SE England, where it turned warm in places. (St Helier 17.5C, Resallach 5.4C maximum, Altnaharra -1.4C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 35.6 mm, Herstmonceux 10.1 h.)

Shallow areas of low pressure over and close to the British Isles led to a rather cloudy day on the 7th. Early mist and some fog was widespread across England, Wales and Ireland by dawn. Overnight, rain affected mainly NW and N Scotland and also parts of SW England and Wales. Further rain moved N'wards over W and N districts during the day, and there was also some rain in the extreme SE of England in the morning and evening. It was warm over much of E England. (Gravesend 19.4C, Pennerley 7.7C maximum, Kielder Castle 0.2C minimum, Liscombe 21.8 mm, Camborne 7.1 h.)

Mist and fog was widespread across the British Isles into the 8th with many areas of Ireland, Scotland, NW England and SE England having some rain or drizzle at times. This rainfall pattern continued during the day - although away from Ireland the SE corner of England falls were mainly light. Some of the brighter inland areas were quite warm. (Scolton Country Park 16.2C, Weybourne 7.2C maximum, Braemar -0.9C minimum, Thomastown 10.0 mm, Bude 10.6 h.)

Mist and fog were widespread by dawn on the 9th as a col brought mainly light winds to the British Isles overnight. During the day W and mainland parts of N Scotland had some sunny spells, as did N England, Wales and SW England - along with parts of E Ireland. Early rain over the SE corner of England spread NW'wards and reached most other areas of England by the evening; falls of rain also occurred over Ireland in the afternoon and evening. It was cold in the dull areas but warmer in the sunnier parts of Wales and SW England. (Porthmadog 16.2C, Lerwick 5.9C maximum, Braemar -2.5C minimum, Reading University 10.6 mm, Camborne 10.4 h.)

Frontal rain moved NW'wards during the 10th, slowly clearing away from the SE as it did so. The day was rather misty throughout and some areas, notably NE England, were rather foggy at times. Most areas had a dull day - although the Hebrides (ahead of the rain) and SE England (once the rain cleared) were notable exceptions. Under the cloudy skies the day was generally cool, although it became warmer in SE England later. (Herstmonceux 18.3C, Salsburgh 4.4C maximum, Balmoral 2.4C minimum, Bramham 25.4 mm, Stornoway 8.9 h.)

An E'ly flow on the 11th produced a cold, dull day close to E areas of the UK, although it was warmer in mainland N Scotland under sunny skies and also under sunshine close to the S coast of England. Most areas dawned rather misty with some fog in places and rain moved W'wards across S Britain overnight and during the morning, with some further rain from E Kent to the Midlands later in the day. (Plymouth 16.3C, Spadeadam 4.4C maximum, Baltasound 2.6C minimum, Odiham 14.4 mm, Herstmonceux 8.4 h.)

Mist and fog patches were widespread by dawn on the 12th following a night with some rain and drizzle across the S half of England and Wales. Rain moved N'wards across Cent and England and into S Scotland during the day, with further falls at times in S England. An area of heavy showers, briefly thundery, affected areas around Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor for much of the afternoon, and a trough brought some rain to parts of E England in the evening. It was a sunny day, warm in places, across N and Cent Scotland; elsewhere, particularly in E areas of the UK, it was cool in the surface E'ly flow. (Achnagart 16.8C, Spadeadam 3.9C maximum, Aviemore -1.2C minimum, Katesbridge 11.0 mm, Lerwick 13.0 h.)

England , Wales and Ireland were again misty around dawn on the 13th as an area of rain affected many areas overnight - although parts of S and W Ireland, SW England and W Scotland remained mainly dry. A mainly cloudy and misty day followed, with light rain in places. The day was another generally cool one. (Milford Haven 13.7C, Salsburgh 5.0C maximum, Baltasound 0.8C minimum, Sutton Bonington 18.4 mm, Shannon Airport 5.22 h.)

Widespread overnight mist and fog cleared during the morning of the 14th, except across Shetland where it remained dull all day. Other areas of N and E Scotland had spells of sunshine during the day, and parts of S England were especially sunny. It became warm inland during the afternoon, and some showers - heavy in places - affected parts of Kent, districts just to the west of London and areas of the Midlands during the late afternoon and evening. Later in the day, an area of low pressure approached SW Ireland and spread rain into W and SW Ireland in the evening. (Northolt 19.5C, Fair Isle 7.0C maximum, Frittenden 1.4C minimum, Winchcombe Sudeley Castle 3.6 mm, Charlwood 11.3 h.)

Parts of E Scotland had an air frost into the 15th while rain s[pread NE'wards across Ireland and into SW England and W Wales. Much of E Scotland, and most of England and Wales, was misty overnight with fog in E and S England for a time. During the day N and E Scotland and NE England were mostly sunny. Showery outbreaks moved NE'wards across other districts, but there were brighter intervals. Away from many coasts, it was mostly quite warm - especially in northern Scotland. Valentia had 24 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending 1800 GMT. (Kinlochewe 19.0C, Fair Isle 8.1C maximum, Altnaharra -2.6C, Liscombe 12.4 mm, Altnaharra 12.1 h.)

A deep area of low pressure drove fronts and rain across Ireland for much of the day on the 16th - MSL pressure was 993 mb in SW Ireland during late evening. Elsewhere, showery outbreaks in the west and north slowly faded, only for further thick cloud and rain to move in to these areas during the afternoon and evening; it became quite windy later rom the W. It was fairly sunny, and quite warm, over parts of E Scotland, Cent and E England. Valentia reported 28 mm of rain in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT and much of W Ireland had a rather dull day. (Lossiemouth 17.7C, Fair Isle 6.5C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 4.2C minimum, Eskdalemuir 9.4 mm, Herstmonceux 9.5 h.)

Low pressure persisted, but weakened, to the W of Ireland on the 17th. Outbreaks of frontal rain moved slowly E'wards across the British Isles, although E England remained largely dry until the evening. Parts of East Anglia and SE England had sunny spells ahead of advancing cloud - while much of Ireland and Scotland turned brighter and showery during the day. A S'ly flow led to some mild air reaching the E half of England, while showers in the W were thundery in places. (Santon Downham 20.9C, Lerwick 8.3C maximum, Lerwick 5.5C minimum, Cluanie Inn 31.2 mm, Guernsey Airport 10.8 h.)

A warm front moved slowly NW'wards on the 18th, giving outbreaks of (mainly) light rain and drizzle as it did so toW and N parts of the British Isles. Under thick cloud cover, it was an unseasonably warm night across much of England and Wales, away from the extreme SE parts of England, with minimum temperatures overnight above 12C in places. During the day much of the British Isles became very warm - with S and E England having 10-13 h of sunshine in most places. A five-year-old girl was killed when a "freak wave" washed her out to sea as she walked along the beach; the girl was walking with her mother and sister at Durdle Door in Dorset when she was swept into the water. (St James Park 25.3C, Fair Isle 10.7C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 5.1C minimum, Capel Curig 9.4 mm, Shoeburyness 13.0 h.)

To the W of a cold front that pushed E'wards on the 19th it was a warm day with temperatures reaching over 25C in much of E and Cent England, away from the coasts. At Reading University a reading of 26.7C was the highest air temperature in the 110-year record for the site. 29.1C was recorded at St James's Park in central London during the afternoon, making it the hottest UK day in April since 1949. The highest recorded temperature for this month was 29.4C back in 1949 in London. Very dry air assisted the surge in temperature. The front gave little precipitation in the W and many parts of England, away from the extreme SW, had 12-13 h of bright sunshine. (St James Park 29.1C, Aberdaron 11.3C maximum, Eskdalemuir 3.7C minimum, South Uist 4.0 mm, Charterhall 13.6 h.)

Mist and some fog patches were widespread by dawn on the 20th across much of England, Wales and the S half of Ireland. A cold front gave small amounts of precipitation in some W areas overnight - these falls then also affected Scotland during the day but the front weakened as pressure - to 1025 mb over NW Wales by 2400 GMT. Most other districts were sunny and warm - temperatures reached 25C in London and SE England with much of England, Wales and S Ireland having long, sunny spells. It was cold and, at times, foggy on the windward Cornish and Devon coasts. (Frittenden 26.8C, Bude 9.0C maximum, Braemar 1.1C minimum, Kinlochewe 7.6 mm, Leconfield 13.3 h.)

Scotland along with N areas of Ireland, Wales and England had a ground frost on the 21st while mist and fog patches formed in more S'ly areas by dawn. There was some light rain and drizzle across parts of Ireland, W Wales and N Scotland overnight - and in S Ireland later in the day. Much of Ireland, Wales, W England and E Scotland had a sunny day. Some rain and drizzle fell over parts of England and Wales during the day, while in the evening areas of thunderstorms moved NE'wards into parts of Devon and Cent S England, travelling to the Midlands; another area affected Wales and later N England and S Scotland. A family had to move out of their house after lightning struck the roof setting it alight. The blaze broke out in Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight following a burst of heavy rain and lightning at about 2030 GMT. (St Helier 25.7C, Fair Isle 10.2C maximum, Aboyne -2.2C minimum, St Catherines Point 8.2 mm, Dyce 13.2 h.)

Thunderstorms, including falls of hail in places, moved NE'wards from Cent S England to the Midlands before dawn on the 22nd with another area affecting N England and S Scotland. Parts of N and Cent Scotland had a ground frost overnight, while over Ireland and W Scotland there were falls of frontal rain. These falls affected remaining areas of Scotland and also N England during the day. It was a warm day in E England ahead of the approaching cold fronts - although most areas away from Cent S and SE England, East Anglia and S Ireland were rather cloudy. This year's London Marathon was officially the hottest on record; more than 40,000 runners took part amid temperatures that rose to 24.1C in St James's Park, the Met Office said. A narrowing band of frontal rain crossed the country from the west; most of southern Britain just had a cloudier spell, but thundery showers developed at the southern end of the system over East Anglia in the afternoon. (Gravesend 25.0C, Lerwick 7.8C maximum, Drumnadrochit 0.7C minimum, Otterbourne Water Works 26.6 mm, Manston 12.0 h.)

Rainfall affected parts of Ireland, Scotland and N areas of England and Wales overnight into the 23rd. During the day most areas were cloudy, except for parts of East Anglia and SE England. Rain and drizzle became widespread across Ireland and Scotland later spread from Ireland into Wales and much of N and Cent England, with some falls in parts of SW and Cent S England later in the evening. (Heathrow 16.7C, Cluanie Inn 8.9C maximum, Charlwood 3.8C minimum, Cluanie Inn 16.6 mm, Shoeburyness 9.1 h.)

Much of N and Cent Scotland was bright with sunny periods, and some showers on the 24th. Elsewhere it was rather cloudy with widespread rain, especially heavy at times across Wales, S Ireland and Cent England. Cent S and SE England was mainly dry until late afternoon; much of S England was also misty. By late evening the rain was largely confined to E England and W parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. (Gravesend 18.5C, Aberdaron 8.5C maximum, Aboyne 3.5C minimum, Gogerddan 25.8 mm, Tiree 10.3 h.)

Low pressure centred close to N Scotland on the 25th brought troughs with spells of rain across the British Isles. Overnight there was a ground frost in parts of E Scotland. The daytime showers were heavy with hail or thunder in places. There were sunny periods between the falls of rain - especially across S Ireland and S half of England and Wales. It was rather cool in the duller areas. (Heathrow 15.8C, Dalwhinnie 8.7C maximum, Balmoral -1.6C minimum, Coningsby 14.0 mm, Guernsey Airport 11.9 h.)

Sunny spells and showers affected most areas during the 26th, although falls were generally light across S areas of Ireland, Wales and England, with the best of the sunshine across W Wales and S England. Falls were widespread across Ireland, while during the evening rain spread from the S into S Ireland and SW England as an area of low pressure edged towards these areas from the S. (Heathrow 16.1C, Cluanie Inn 8.5C maximum, Aboyne 1.0C minimum, Cluanie Inn 32.0 mm, Aberdaron 12.0 h.)

Many parts of Scotland, N Ireland and N England had a ground frost on the 27th, with an air frost in places across N Ireland and S Scotland. During the day an area of low pressure moved E'wards across S England. Overnight rain moved NE'wards into much of Wales, S England and S Ireland; during the day this spread across most of England and Wales while Scotland and I Ireland had a showery day. It was cool across Wales and Cent England. (Frittenden 14.0C, Pennerley 5.1C maximum, Castlederg -2.2C minimum, Cardiff Bute Park 24.0 mm, Glasgow 13.5 h.)

Many northern areas had a frosty start to the28th, then most of the N half of the British Isles, along with Wales and SW England, had a cold day with sunny spells and scattered showers. Elsewhere the day was rather cloudy with some rain or drizzle. (Achnagart 14.7C, High Wycombe 7.2C maximum, Kinbrace -4.3C minimum, Weybourne 16.2 mm, Stornoway 13.0 h.)

The 29th was another generally cool day. There was an early air frost in parts of N Scotland, Cent Ireland and S Scotland while during the day the temperature failed to reach 8C in many parts of England. Patchy rain was largely confined to Ireland and Cent, E and many S areas of England during the day - these parts of England were also dull. The maximum temperature was just 7.7C at Reading University; in the past 110 years only 30 April 1939 (maximum 7.2C) and 1 May 1979 (maximum 7.2C) have been colder this late in the spring. (Kinlochewe 13.8C, High Wycombe 6.1C maximum, Kinbrace -5.0C minimum, Resallach 8.0 mm, Kinloss 14.3 h.)

Away from E England, East Anglia and SE England the 30th was a sunny day. Overnight there was an inland air frost as far S as parts of Cent Ireland and S Wales. There were isolated showers overnight and during the day in some areas; the exception to this was an area over London, and to the SE and E of London, where it was very wet, windy, cold and dull. A man died after being swept out to sea in Kent as heavy rain and winds affected the area. Two other men were taken to hospital after being washed from East Pier in Ramsgate by a large wave. Some trains in SE England were cancelled and roads were blocked by fallen trees. Also in Kent, firefighters rescued two adults and a baby from a car which was stuck in floodwater in Sutton Valence, while another man in Herne Bay was trapped when a tree fell on his car. Several flights leaving London City Airport have been delayed. A spokesman for the airport said air traffic control restricted the number of flights that could take off and land because of the poor weather conditions. (Glasgow 14.9C, Goudhurst 5.5C maximum, Kinbrace -6.0C minimum, Manston 39.4 mm, Glasgow 14.1 h.)

Away from the coasts, many inland places in England, wales and Scotland had an air frost on the 1st, while ground frost was widespread across the British Isles. There was some light rain in W Ireland overnight and this rain then spread E'wards during the day - reaching all but East Anglia and SE England by midnight. As a result E areas, especially SE England and East Anglia, were the sunniest while it remained rather dull in W Scotland and across Ireland during the day. (Santon Downham 15.7C, Killylane 7.9C maximum, Aboyne -4.6C minimum, Port Ellen 15.6 mm, Shoeburyness 12.8 h.)

Overnight into the 2nd it was generally cloudy with rain in most areas, especially across Wales and over high ground in W England and parts of Scotland. The rain gradually cleared from the W, being followed by showers and sunshine - the best of the sunshine being found across Ireland and in parts of W Britain. Maximum temperatures were generally around 11-13C. (Thorney Island 15.6C, Lerwick 8.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 3.0C minimum, Whitechurch 25.4 mm, Shannon Airport 11.7 h.)

Fronts crossed W areas of the British Isles during the 3rd. E areas of England and Scotland had an early ground frost while rain fell across Ireland and W Scotland before dawn. During the day the rain spread E across Scotland but it generally became patchier as it did so. Under the clearer skies in E areas, and especially in SE England and the Channel Islands it was quite sunny in places with temperatures exceeding 17C in parts of SE England. (Heathrow 18.1C, Salsburgh 7.8C maximum, Aboyne -2.0C minimum, Achnagart 10.6 mm, Manston 12.4 h.)

Frontal conditions on the 4th gave much of Scotland a cloudy and (in the W) a damp day with low pressure to the W giving blustery winds in W areas as the day developed. There was some rain overnight across Ireland, Wales, Scotland and in parts of W England with some fog in SW England. During the day, away from SW England and SW Scotland, there were sunny spells and it turned warm in E Scotland and E England. In the evening it turned misty in some areas. (Gravesend 21.1C, Dundrennan 9.7C maximum, Shoreham 3.3C minimum, Spadeadam 5.6 mm, Herstmonceux 12.8 h.)

Away from NW Scotland, pressure was generally high on the 5th. This resulted in cloudy skies in NW Scotland, where there was some rainfall at times, but mainly sunny conditions elsewhere - once early mist and fog had cleared from many arts of England and Wales, and from E and S Ireland. Temperatures reached 20C in many parts of E Ireland and in E and Cent England. W parts of Wales and SW England remained misty in places, with patchy sea fog in the Irish Sea. W Britain and E Ireland saw more mist and fog in places forming in the evening. (Otterbourne Water Works 23.7C, Logan Botanic Garden and Ronaldsway 9.9C maximum, Goudhurst 2.6C minimum, Achnagart 9.4 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 14.4 h.)

High pressure persisted into the 6th with fronts causing cloudy skies across parts of Ireland and Scotland. N and W Scotland were particularly cloudy with moderately heavy falls of rain at times in places. The high pressure led to a touch of ground frost in some E and S parts of England before temperatures rose above 20C in many areas - and above 25C in places close to London. However, the cloudy areas, along with W Ireland, W Wales and parts of SW England were much cooler. (Heathrow 26.3C, Fair Isle 9.3C maximum, Santon Downham 2.0C minimum, Harris Quidnish 9.6 mm, Boulmer 14.4 h.)

Frontal cloud continued to affect Ireland and W and N areas of Scotland on the 7th. Cloudy skies and some light overnight rain affected these areas before dawn - although there was a little sunshine here during the day. Many parts of England, Wales and Ireland had some mist and fog patches before dawn - during the day it was hot and sunny for many areas of England with 25C reached widely. It was chilly and misty near some SW coasts, especially over Scilly. Some parts of England
and Wales were cloudless for a third consecutive day - with over 40 h of bright sunshine recorded as a result. (Northolt 28.7C, Fair Isle 8.1C maximum, Whitechurch 3.5C minimum, Tulloch Bridge 7.2 mm, Shoeburyness 14.2 h.)

Overnight into the 8th rain fell across Ireland and later in parts of W Scotland and Wales; elsewhere there were mist and fog patches across England, Wales and S Scotland by dawn. Most places then had sunny spells during the day, especially in E England where the sunshine was prolonged for a four successive day. The rain across Ireland spread E during the day, although falls over S and E England were slight as the passing front dissipated. Maximum temperatures reached 25C in parts of E and SE England but were closer to 13C in much of W Britain and W Ireland. (Gravesend 27.6C, Eskdalemuir 10.2C maximum, Kinbrace 4.3C minimum, Dundrennan 7.6 mm, Odiham 12.6 h.)

Low pressure to the W of Scotland pushed frontal rain across many areas on the 9th. By dawn there were a few patches of mist and fog across England and Wales while the rain had spread across most of Ireland from the W. Some areas away from the rain and frontal cloud had a touch of ground frost before dawn. By midnight E England, East Anglia and SE England remained largely dry - with London and areas to the E having a largely sunny day. The rain introduced cooler air from the W - across Ireland and in other W areas daytime temperatures remained below 12C in many places. (Gravesend 22.0C, Killylane 9.1C maximum, Aboyne -1.1C minimum, Eskdalemuir 14.8 mm, Shoeburyness 11.1 h.)

A cold front cleared to the E early on the 10th, allowing a touch of ground frost in E Scotland by dawn. A mainly dry followed as high pressure formed to the E of S England. Most places had a sunny day although there were a few showers in parts of W Scotland and W Ireland. In the evening cloud and frontal rain and drizzle spread E'wards into W Ireland. (Teddington Bushy Park 18.1C, Cluanie Inn 10.2C maximum, Braemar 0.9C minimum, Kinlochewe 7.2 mm, Aberdaron 14.2 h.)

High pressure led to a widespread ground frost into the 11th away from W Scotland, Ireland and SW England - with a slight air frost in parts of E and Se Scotland. During the day fronts spread from the W across most areas from Ireland, although precipitation amounts were slight across E England until the evening. Brighter weather followed from the W and it was mainly sunny across Ireland during the day. (Gravesend 18.9C, Altnahinch Filters 8.4C maximum, Aboyne -2.9C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 13.8 mm, Manston 11.5 h.)

Many places in Ireland and W areas of the UK had a ground frost on the 12th. Further E it was cloudier overnight as rain pushed away E'wards, to be followed by some mist in W and Cent areas of England. During the day it was mainly sunny (especially in W Scotland) and dry, away from England. Rain moved N'wards across much of E and Cent England and was heavy in places. (Hull East Park 19.0C, Fair Isle 8.8C maximum, Katesbridge -1.7C minimum, Cambridge NIAB 14.4 mm, Stornoway 14.9 h.)

Low pressure and frontal cloud into the 13th led to a wet night in E and NE areas of England and Scotland. During the day the frontal rain pushed away E'wards and most places saw some sunshine - especially in Wales, SW Scotland, E Ireland and W England. Later in the evening further frontal rain spread into SW Ireland. (Astwood Bank 19.3C, Wick Airport 10.9C maximum, Katesbridge -1.0C minimum, Wick Airport 14.2 mm, Hawarden and Valley14.6 h.)

A ridge of high pressure on the 14th led to a mostly dry and settled day across the British Isles. There was an early air frost in parts of Wales and S Scotland with many other areas of the UK having a ground frost. Ireland W Scotland had a rather cloudy day as weak fronts crossed these areas from the W leading to some - earlier in the day there was some light rain across Shetland while it was also cloudier during the day in parts of East Anglia and SE England. (Pershore 21.5C, Harris Quidnish 11.2C maximum, Sennybridge -2.4C minimum, Baltasound 4.2 mm, Lerwick 15.4 h.)

Parts of Wales and Scotland had a slight ground frost on the 15th. Much of England, away from the extreme SW, then had a sunny day. Further N a band of rain moved across Ireland and Scotland during the day, and there was some rain in N England and N Wales later. High pressure built behind the rain - MSL pressure rose to about 1032 mb in W Ireland by 2400 GMT. (Linton on Ouse 23.5C, Cromer 10.2C maximum, Aboyne 0.8C minimum, Harris Quidnish 4.0 mm, Odiham 14.1 h.)

The 16th was an anticyclonic day with MSL pressure rising to 1033 mb over the Western Isles by 2400 GMT. Parts of Ireland and Scotland had an early ground frost and the clear skies that caused this then led to a sunny day. Elsewhere it was rather cloudy with an onshore flow from the N in E areas. Patchy rain across England and Wales overnight gradually cleared SE'wards and it turned brighter from the N. (St Helier 18.6C, Fylingdales 9.0C maximum, Braemar -0.9C minimum, Shobdon 8.2 mm, Prestwick 15.0 h.)

The high pressure centre persisted over Scotland on the 17th, weakening slightly during the day. Ground frost was widespread across N and cent England, Scotland and N Ireland - with a slight air frost in parts of Scotland. The day was generally dry and sunny everywhere with sunshine totals widely above 12 h, except in W Ireland. (Kinlochewe 20.0C, Fylingdales 10.1C maximum, Shap -1.9C minimum, Blackpool 0.2 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 14.7 h.)

High pressure again led to a widespread ground frost on the 18th across most parts of the UK awy from the coasts and SW England. Most areas again had a sunny day although frontal cloud gave a little rain in parts of W Scotland and W Ireland. Much of England had a sunny day although there were patches of cloud - and some misty conditions around some coastal areas. (Aboyne 20.5C, Harris Quidnish 10.9C maximum, Redesdale Camp -2.1C minimum, Stornoway 0.8 mm, Boulmer 13.9 h.)

Pressure fell during the 19th from the W. Parts of Wales, England and E Scotland had a ground frost before dawn while during the evening light rain and drizzle spread E'wards across much of Ireland and W Scotland. Ahead of this rain and associated cloud it was a sunny day across much of E Ireland, E Scotland and most of England and Wales. Many places became quite warm in the sunshine. (Kinloss 22.7C, Weybourne 11.5C maximum, Santon Downham -0.2C minimum, South Uist 0.8 mm, Waddington 14.6 h.)

There was little ground frost on the 20th with minimum air temperatures over night over Ireland remaining above 12C in many places. Rain and drizzle affected many parts of Ireland and Scotland overnight, while East Anglia, the Midlands, SE and Cent S England dawned with misty conditions and some fog patches. During the day over Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of N England, West Wales and Cornwall it was fairly cloudy, with some rain, especially in the north. Elsewhere once early mist of fog had cleared it was generally and, later, quite warm. (Sheffield 24.3C, Harris Quidnish 10.3C maximum, Sennybridge 1.9C minimum, Thomastown 12.4 mm, Waddington and Wittering 14.0 h.)

Frontal cloud and precipitation persisted on the 21st over N and W Scotland and across Ireland. There was early mist and few fog patches across areas of England. Much of England and Wales had a sunny day but low pressure to the SE of Kent introduced cloud from the east across S areas of England later - with some light rain in SE England. This rain then turned heavier and thunderstorms became quite widespread during the afternoon, especially over Cent S England. (Pershore 24.5C, Aultbea 7.8C maximum, South Newington 2.1C minimum, Banagher Caugh Hill 28.0 mm, Sheffield 14.8 h.)

Much of E Scotland, Northern Ireland and NE England had a cloudy day on the 22nd although it was largely dry once a weak frontal system dissipated. W Scotland was sunny and warm in places. S Ireland and much of England and Wales had a sunny day and it was generally warm - although some coastal areas remained rather cool. There was some rain in SE England overnight, and thundery showers over west Kent and parts of the south coast of England in the afternoon. (Porthmadog 25.0C, Lentran 8.3C maximum, Resallach -0.2C minimum, Manston 10.6 mm, Rostherne 14.5 h.)

High pressure dominated the weather on the 23rd but this led to an E'ly flow in most E coast areas of the UK. There was a slight ground frost in parts of SW Scotland and Wales at first - with mist and haze across much of Ireland and in parts of England and Wales at first. Cloud from the North Sea spread across much of the UK overnight, then burnt back E'wards to give a sunny day in most places, except for many eastern coastal districts from SE Scotland S'wards. Troughs brought areas of showers to S England later in the day. (Porthmadog 24.0C, Inverbervie 9.8C maximum, Newton Rigg 0.4C minimum, Otterbourne Water Works 1.4 mm, Morecambe 15.5 h.)

High pressure dominated condition in N areas on the 24th while across S and cent areas of England, Wales and Ireland there was cloud and some precipitation due to fronts. Parts of Cent Scotland and N Ireland had a slight ground frost in places - and many places across the British Isles had overnight haze, mist or fog patches. Much of Scotland had sunny day - while much of the UK SW of a line Anglesey-Sussex remained dull. Outbreaks of rain edged N'wards into parts of Ireland, W'wards across parts of East Anglia, Lincolnshire and parts of the Midlands during the afternoon and evening. Further south and southwest, it was mostly cool and wet, although much of SW England was dry into the evening. Thunder occurred over East Sussex, W Kent, N Surrey, W London and NW Essex in the early hours, and to the W of London in the late afternoon and early evening. (Bridgefoot 25.2C, Fair Isle 9.1C maximum, Shap 0.4C minimum, Lyneham 22.8 mm, Morecambe 15.5 h.)

On the 25th Scotland, Northern Ireland and northernmost England were mostly sunny and warm, while further S it was cloudy with a warm, cloudy night being followed by a cool day. A large area of rain moved slowly N'wards and W'wards over England and Wales - with falls also over S Ireland. The rain was followed by drier but cloudy conditions; showers broke out in areas near the Wash in the late afternoon, and there was isolated thunder in NW Norfolk. (Tyndrum 24.1C, Loftus 10.8C maximum, Redesdale Camp 1.3C minimum, Winterbourne No.2 31.4 mm, Tiree 14.7 h.)

High pressure towards the N of the UK and low pressure towards the S led to a mainly E'ly flow on the 26th. Mist and fog formed in many areas overnight across England and Wales. Scotland, away from some E areas, had a sunny day. Other areas tended to be cloudier, but not completely dull, with some patchy rain or drizzle - especially over Cent England at first and over parts of Wales and SW England. Thunderstorms affected parts of S England in the evening. (Hurn 27.3C, Wick Airport 10.1C maximum, Braemar 2.9C minimum, North Wyke 16.4 mm, Stornoway 15.7 h.)

On the 27th, under high pressure and mainly light winds from the E, much of the country was sunny and very warm, although there were some cooler areas especially in E Scotland. Overnight minimum temperatures were widely 15-16C from S Wales to Sussex. Bands of thunderstorms moved NW'wards across S Britain, as far as N Wales and the north Midlands overnight and in the morning; there was almost continuous thunder and/or lightning over a wide area, with at least 15000 flashes. Sunny weather extended NW'wards into S England and S Wales during the morning, but thunderstorms were regenerated from N Wales across Cheshire, the Midlands and the Chilterns in the afternoon and early evening. These storms gave intense rainfall, leading to flooding in places, and lightning was again a notable feature. Stansted Airport reported delays to flights in the morning after a lightning strike briefly left its aircraft fuelling system "unavailable". A house in Stanway, Essex, lost its roof to a fire after lightning struck it in the early hours; firefighters worked on the blaze for almost three hours, eventually extinguishing it at 0330 GMT. Flash flooding closed the birth centre at a Powys hospital; Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welshpool was flooded following heavy rain overnight, with minor injury services mainly affected. Flash floods caused chaos in Birmingham after heavy rain left multiple cars stranded in up to 1.5 metre deep flood water. Emergency services evacuated residents in boats from Selly Oak and warned drivers to take extra care after several roads were closed. West Midlands Fire Service reported that they have received more than 900 calls with fire crews being deployed to over 100 incidents. The Met Office said that 58.6mm fell in an hour in Edgbaston. The University of Birmingham was forced to close its main sports and fitness centre due to flooding caused by torrential rain. Highways England was forced to close a flooded stretch of the M5 between Halesowen and Oldbury, while lane and exit closures were put in place on parts of the M42 and M6. The Harborne area of Birmingham was also badly hit - with the Environment Agency putting more than 20 flood warnings in place for the Midlands region, including stretches of the Rea and Cole rivers. A total of 42 flood alerts were also issued for other areas, urging residents to be prepared for the possibility of flooding. Train operator CrossCountry said some of its services had been disrupted by severe weather near Birmingham New Street, which led to signalling problems. (St James Park 27.6C, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 11.4C maximum, Altnaharra 0.7C minimum, Winterbourne No.2 93.6 mm, Kirkwall 16.0 h.)

Following a cloudy night - with widespread mist and fog patches away from W Scotland - the 28th was a mainly warm or hot day. An E'ly flow again led to a cooler day in some parts of E England close to the E coast. In the afternoon and evening there were thunderstorms in S England. A man in his 80s died after his vehicle became submerged in floodwater in Walsall, West Midlands; two ambulances, a paramedic and a hazardous area response team with a boat were sent to Lichfield Road, Rushall at around 0120 GMT. (Cavendish 27.3C, Loftus 12.9C maximum, Braemar 3.5C minimum, High Wycombe 6.2 mm, Kinloss 15.9 h.)

On the 29th most N and W areas of the UK were again sunny and very warm. Despite high pressure (1024 over N Shetland at 2400 GMT) the Northern Isles were largely damp and foggy due partly to a nearby weak front. An onshore flow again made it cool near the E coast of SE Scotland and England. Low pressure over the near-continent pushed thunderstorms across S England later in the day with several hours of often heavy rain and thunderstorms in the southeast. Roads and properties around Medway have been left under water after the storms. The M2 between junction 4 and 5 was closed due to flooding from rainfall. Kent Fire and Rescue Service warned motorists to drive only "if necessary" after a lunchtime deluge left parts of the county impassable. London Fire Brigade also confirmed that it received more than 100 flood-related calls and some train services were cancelled as railway lines were submerged. Some flights from Gatwick Airport were also cancelled or delayed by "adverse weather". In Kent the worst problems were in Maidstone, Gravesham and Swale, in the NE of the county. Four people were rescued from their cars in Stratford, in E London. (Achnagart 27.5C, Loftus 12.2C maximum, Altnaharra 4.1C minimum, Frittenden 26.8 mm, Stornoway 15.9 h.)

A shallow area of low pressure centred close to the Channel Islands dominated the weather on the 30th. Overnight rain, some heavy, moved NW'wards across England and Wales - and there was some thunder over parts of the E Midlands at first. The rain became lighter and patchier, affecting chiefly SW England, Wales and N England during the day. Most of England and Wales remained cloudy and dull for most of the day. Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland had sunny and warm, locally hot, weather. (Achnagart 25.9C, Loftus 10.8C maximum, Kinbrace 3.9C minimum, Westonbirt 25.2 mm, Loch Glascarnoch 15.1 h.)

The 31st dawned rather misty in places with a few fog patches. N and NW Scotland had a mainly sunny day - while there were a few showers later in the day in parts of Scotland, notably in the N. Areas of rain affected SE England in the morning, with showers forming over S England later in the day; these then moved into NW England and Wales later. Some of the showers turned thundery. Away from the E coast where an onshore wind made it feel cool, the day was widely warm or very warm. (Altnaharra 25.6C, Weybourne 13.3C maximum, Aboyne 8.9C minimum, Brize Norton 37.8 mm, Lerwick 13.8 h.)

Mist and fog patches were widespread by dawn across the British Isles on the 1st. Showers developed during the day, especially in W and N areas before misty conditions returned, widely, in the evening. Away from parts of E Scotland it was a rather cloudy day. (Aboyne 26.8C, Fair Isle 11.5C maximum, Aboyne 8.0C minimum, Salsburgh 29.8 mm, Dyce 14.6 h.)

Mist and fog patches were widespread on the 2nd by dawn, with some rain and drizzle in places. Cloudy conditions led to a mild night with minimum temperatures remaining above 15C overnight in parts of Cent England and East Anglia. During the day cloud and outbreaks of rain moved NW'wards from East Anglia across N England, Northern Ireland, and S and W Scotland - with some thundery conditions in places. It was a warm day in many areas and sunny in parts of E Scotland, Cent S England and SE Wales. Fog patches affected the cooler Northern Isles and there was some thunder in Ne Scotland. (Tyndrum 25.6C, Fair Isle 11.5C maximum, Katesbridge 7.6C minimum, Fylingdales 33.2 mm, Exeter Airport 13.4 h.)

Some light frontal rain moved N'wards over N England and Scotland at first on the 3rd - with some rain also falling in Northern Ireland. The rain died out and was followed by thundery showers in Cent Scotland in the afternoon. N England and S Scotland had a mainly dull day - and it was also rather cloudy in areas close to the North Sea, in many parts of Scotland and in W Ireland. Hot conditions over England and Wales led to a few showers later in the day here although it was cooler across N Scotland due to a S'ward miving cold front here. (St James Park 27.1C, Fair Isle 11.9C maximum, Sennybridge 5.6C minimum, Tyndrum 24.0 mm, Ronaldsway 15.3 h.)

A cold front moved S'wards on the 4th, being straddled across S Scotland and N England by late evening. Overnight, there was a little light rain in parts of E England while parts of N England had thundery activity before dawn. It was a mild night across S England and parts of S Wales with overnight minimum temperatures remaining above 15C in places. E parts of the UK had a dull day with some drizzle in places. It became mostly sunny and warm in SW England and Wales - with some heavy thundery showers breaking out in N and Cent areas of Ireland and in a few places in W Scotland. It was cool in the cloudier areas close to the North Sea under a N'ly breeze. (Porthmadog 26.6C, Loftus 11.7C maximum, Capel Curig 6.8C minimum, Tyndrum 5.0 mm, Valley 15.2 h.)

A slow-moving S'ward cold front on the 5th led to a little light rain and drizzle over parts of England, Wales and Ireland before dawn. Once this cleared in the morning the day was largely dry although there was a little light rain in the Sw in the evening. It was a sunny day across Scotland, except in the SW, and also fairly sunny across N England. Elsewhere, the day was cloudier and it was again cool in some E coast areas of the UK under low cloud; there was a shallow low (centre 1015 mb) off the North Yorkshire coast at 2400 GMT. (Castlederg 23.2C, Loftus 11.9C maximum, Fyvie Castle 5.7C minimum, Gt Cumbrae Millport 1.8 mm, Stornoway 16.3 h.)

The 6th saw an air frost in parts of N Scotland, and a ground frost as far S as N England. The day was a generally dry one under a slack area of high pressure. Parts of E and NE England were dull with some light drizzle, and there were a few rain showers in Cornwall. With sunny conditions in many areas it turned warm away from the coasts, and in the evening an area of thunderstorms affected Kent for a while. (Porthmadog 24.3C, Loftus 11.3C maximum, Altnaharra -1.0C, Fylingdales 1.4 mm, Prestwick and Dublin Airport 15.6 h.)

Showers, thundery over Kent and Essex before dawn on the 7th, moved NW'wards towards Wales and the Midlands during the day. Much of S England had a cloudy day but elsewhere there were long periods of sunshine in most areas - although some coastal areas were cloudier. After a warm day, in N and W areas some thundery showers developed around Glasgow and in some parts of N and NW Ireland in the late afternoon and evening. (Porthmadog 27.5C, Baltasound 11.7C maximum, Kinbrace 0.2C minimum, Tyndrum 14.6 mm, Altnaharra 16.1 h.)

The 8th dawned after a mild night in the S, with temperatures in parts of S England remaining above 14C overnight. It was wet overnight from S Wales to Humberside as rain along a front moved NW'wards. The rain diminished during the day as the front weakened - but from late morning onwards thunderstorms erupted over W Ireland (and later in Cent Scotland), moving SW'wards before dying out in the evening. It was a sunny day in E and S Ireland and in one or two E areas of Scotland and England. (Derrylin Cornahoule 23.8C, Loftus 11.0C maximum, Kinbrace 0.9C minimum, Pennerley 18.2 mm, Dublin Airport 13.0 h.)

The 9th was an unsettled day in places. It was a warm day towards the S and W, but a cooler closer to the North Sea. During the morning thunderstorms broke out over Cent Scotland - and later in W and S Scotland. By early afternoon there were thunderstorms in parts of NW England while N and cent Ireland had thundery activity into the evening. There was large hail and flooding in parts of Cent Scotland. There were some very heavy showers over SW Wales, and an area of rain developed over Cent S England in the afternoon and moved towards East Anglia. A man whose house was set on fire by a lightning strike in East Dunbartonshire said they thought it was a power cut and only realised the property was on fire when neighbours alerted them. Motorists in Perth and Kinross were battered by fierce hailstones which took hours to pass and left a covering of white on the A9. Cars were seen floating down the road in Bearsden, near Glasgow, amid fierce downpours and several streets had to be closed. (Aldergrove 23.7C, Inverbervie 11.1C maximum, Aboyne 5.0C minimum, Tulloch Bridge 21.2 mm, Valley 14.2 h.)

Overnight into the 10th there was a little light rain in parts of Ireland, while most other areas remained mainly dry as mist and fog patches formed over much of England, Wales and E Scotland by dawn. During the day it was warm over much of England and Wales but there were showers over Cent and S Scotland and N England - with some thunder locally in N England. Much of W Ireland and N and Cent areas of Scotland were rather dull - the best of the sunshine was to be found in parts of the Midlands and NW England. (Porthmadog 25.5C, Inverbervie 11.8C maximum, Ravensworth 4.4C minimum, Carterhouse 25.0 mm, Morecambe 15.6 h.)

It was a warm night into the 11th over parts of S England with minimum temperatures remaining above 15C in parts of S Wales and SW England. Parts of England and Wales had some light mist or fog before dawn. There was some light rain in parts of W Ireland during the day - which was sunny across Wales and Cent and S areas of England. There were a few showers, and isolated thunder, over the Midlands and northern England. It was very warm in the sunny areas of E and S England. (Hurn 26.6C, Fair Isle 12.2C maximum, Santon Downham 4.3C minimum, Ryhill 4.6 mm, Shawbury 14.8 h.)

A ridge of high pressure fed winds from the N across most areas on the 12th. Except in parts of W Wales and the Channel Islands it was a rather cloudy day, especially in N Scotland. There were a few showers and spells of light rain, notably in areas of Ireland and N England. (Plymouth 23.2C, Fair Isle 11.4C maximum, Aboyne 3.2C minimum, Baltasound 1.4 mm, Guernsey Airport 14.0 h.)

Low pressure to the W of Ireland on the 13th (storm Hector: MSL pressure down to 984 on the Western Isles by 2400 GMT), pushed frontal rain across all areas apart from areas of East Anglia and SE England by the end of the day. Ahead of the rain there was a slight ground in parts of N Scotland. Parts of W Ireland and W Scotland were quite wet - 13 mm fell in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT at Valentia. Ireland and W Scotland were dull during the day - the best of the sunshine was to be found in parts of Kent and Essex. (Heathrow 23.3C, Lerwick 11.3C maximum, Altnaharra 2.6C minimum, Tiree 17.8 mm, Shoeburyness 12.9 h.)

Storm Hector gave a wet and windy night into the 14th over Ireland and Scotland, in particular. There was little rain across England overnight and during the day showers were mainly confined to N and Cent Ireland, Scotland and NW England. The best of the sunshine in the daytime W'ly flow was to be found over S Ireland and SW Wales. It was a warm day in E and S England. Storm Hector brought down trees, branches and power lines across Northern Ireland overnight, leading to 300 calls to the road authorities. Gusts in Belfast reached 60 mph while Met Éireann said "severe and damaging gusts" hit the Republic of Ireland's coastal counties before moving west. All ferry sailings between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle were cancelled. Due to high winds, Foyle Bridge in Londonderry and the Tay Bridge were closed. A woman was seriously injured by a slate dislodged from the roof of a building in Edinburgh. ScotRail said services between Inverness and Wick were briefly disrupted after a trampoline was blown on to the line at Helmsdale in Sutherland. The A9 Dornoch Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles, while the Forth Road Bridge was shut to double-decker buses, as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The Catholic Church cancelled the National Schools Mass because of health and safety concerns; children from across the country had been expected to travel to Falkirk Stadium for the event, but a message issued through the Archdiocese of Glasgow asked school groups already on their way to turn back. (Heathrow 23.9C, Cluanie Inn 11.3C maximum, Banagher Caugh Hill 9.6C minimum, Cluanie Inn 43.2 mm, Cork Airport 11.6 h.)

The 15th was a rather cloudy day, especially in parts of N and Cent Ireland and Cent Scotland. Overnight there was some rainfall in parts of W Scotland and in N and W Ireland - with rain, mainly light, in many areas of Ireland and Scotland. An approaching front brought some more widespread to W Ireland later in the evening. The best if the sunshine was in the extreme N of Scotland the Channel Islands. (St James Park 23.8C, Blencathra 12.2C maximum, South Newington 4.6C minimum, Resallach 12.0 mm, Guernsey Airport 14.4 h.)

Overnight into the 16th rain was widespread across Ireland with lesser falls in parts of W Wales and W Scotland as a front pushed E'wards. Rain spread E during the day, notably across Scotland and N England - there was little rain SE of a line Hull-Exeter. During the late morning there were thundery outbreaks in Northern Ireland when then crossed over N England and S Scotland during the afternoon. It was a sunny day in the Northern Isles, but rather cloudier elsewhere. Further fronts continued to give rain across Ireland in the evening. (Weybourne 21.6C, Braemar 11.4C maximum, Redesdale Camp 2.5C minimum, Killylane 16.4 mm, Lerwick 12.3 h.)

Low pressure to the NW of Scotland and the passages of fronts across the British Isles led to a rather cloudy day on the 17th. Overnight rain affected Ireland, parts of N Scotland and also Cent and S England. During the day falls, albeit mainly slight, affected mostly Ireland and W Scotland. Most areas were rather cloudy and breezy with temperatures struggling to reach 16C in many places. (Scampton 20.2C, Fair Isle 13.3C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 2.0C minimum, Scolton Country Park 4.8 mm, Kirkwall 6.1 h.)

Low pressure to the N of Scotland on the 18th drew fronts across the British Isles to give a cloudy day. Falls of rain were mainly light, especially during the day and the best of the sunshine was to be found in parts of Kent and East Anglia. Temperatures rose above 25C in and to the E of London although it was damp, and locally foggy, during the day near Irish Sea and southwestern coasts. (Heathrow 26.6C, Cluanie Inn 12.4C maximum, Salsburgh 8.9C minimum, Cassley 8.4 mm, Shoeburyness 10.0 h.)

An area of low pressure pushed N'wards across Ireland later on the 19th (centre 1009 mb over NE Ireland at 2400 GMT), drawing a warm front N'wards over England and Wales during the day. There was some mist and fog in SW England at first, while rain moved steadily NE'wards across most places during the afternoon and evening. Southern Britain was fairly cloudy for some time with local drizzle but it turned sunnier later in the day. However, the best of the sunshine was to be found over the Northern Isles while there was some daytime fog around some coasts of the Irish Sea and SW England. After a mild night across S and Cent England and East Anglia, it turned warm in East Anglia during the day. (Writtle 25.6C, Lough Fea 12.1C maximum, Katesbridge 3.5C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 16.6 mm, Lerwick 9.2 h.)

A warm sector slowly cleared away SE'wards across England and Wales on the 20th, but not until overnight minimum temperatures of 16-17C had been noted over NE England, the Midlands and N Wales. Overnight there was widespread and, in places, heavy rain across Ireland, Scotland and N Wales - this eased off as the front moved SE'wards. The Shetlands and E Kent (ahead of the front) were the sunniest areas - elsewhere it was a rather cloudy day in many places. It was a warm day in parts of East Anglia. (Teddington Bushy Park 26.3C, Fair Isle 12.1C maximum, Dalwhinnie 6.6C minimum, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 33.6 mm, Lerwick 12.0 h.)

On the 21st a large anticyclone became established W of Ireland (MSL pressure 1036 mb in W Ireland by 2400 GMT) and a sunny day resulted (away from the Northern Isles where a weak front lingered close by) in a N-NW'ly breeze. Temperatures generally failed to reach 20C (this followed a cool night in N Scotland where showers were widespread at times before dawn). (St James Park 21.1C, Lerwick 9.4C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 3.8C minimum, Cluanie Inn 7.8 mm, Prestwick 15.3 h.)

High pressure remained centred to the W of Ireland on the 22nd giving another mainly dry and sunny day - although fronts over and close to the Northern Isles led to some rainfall here and in parts of N Scotland. Away from N Scotland it was a very sunny day with a warm afternoon away from N- and NW'ward-facing coasts. (Wiggonholt 23.4C, Fair Isle 11.2C maximum, Swyddffynnon 0.2C minimum, Baltasound 3.6 mm, Leconfield 16.2 h.)

The anticyclone weakened a little on the 23rd with the centre being close to Dublin, 1028 mb, by 2400 GMT. Away from N and Cent Scotland it was another sunny day - although parts of S Scotland and N England were also cloudy at times. Rain overnight in the Northern Isles extended slightly further S'wards during the day - with some coastal places here having sea fog at times. (Usk No.2 24.6C, Fair Isle 10.7C maximum, Katesbridge 2.1C minimum, Lerwick 8.3 mm, Shannon Airport 15.6 h.)

The 24th dawned after a cool night in places under patchy cloud, although N Scotland remained rather cloudy until dawn as overnight rain moved away. Away from Shetland the day was a sunny warm - with most areas being warm with temperatures of 25C being reached as far N as NE England and Cent Ireland. (Heathrow 26.5C, Lerwick 12.4C minimum, Katesbridge 2.2C maximum, Baltasound 3.6 mm, Edinburgh Gogarbank 16.3 h.)

The 25th dawned with a touch of ground frost in parts of N and E Scotland. Away from Shetland and the Western Isles a sunny day followed with temperatures reaching 25C as far N as E Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many places reported in excess of 15 h of sunshine, with 16-17 h at a few stations. (Hampton Water Works 30.1C, Fair Isle 12.8C maximum, Kinbrace 1.1C minimum, Lerwick less than 1 mm, Kinloss 17.0 h.)

The anticyclone had transferred to the E of Scotland by 2400 GMT on the 26th, the N'ly flow leading to some overnight fog patches in NE England. There were a few spots of rain in parts of N and W Scotland and in parts of Ireland at times. However, most places were dry and sunny - especially over England and Wales where 15 h were widely reported. It was warm or hot in most areas away from the North Sea. (Rostherne 30.7C, Inverbervie 12.1C maximum, Aboyne 2.5C minimum, Tiree 0.2 mm, Shoeburyness 15.5 h.)

On the 27th cloud spread W'wards across much of eastern Britain (and to Glasgow) early in the day as high pressure over the North Sea led to an onshore breeze from the E. Overnight minimum temperatures remained above 15C in parts of W and S Ireland, S Wales and SW England. During the day the cloud cleared to give most places a sunny day with very hot conditions in some W areas. It was a cooler day in many coastal areas bordering the North Sea as cloud was slow to clear here. 31.3C was reached in Aviemore and 30.1C at Aboyne (rising from a minimum of 4.3C). News reports said that Scotland was basking in its warmest June day in more than two decades. ScotRail has said "multiple points failures" sparked by high temperatures have led to widespread train cancellations across the country. No trains were running in and out of Glasgow Central station's high level. All services to Ayrshire are affected. Other services have been cancelled, suspended or delayed as Network Rail engineers work on the problem. The routes included Glasgow to: Paisley, Shotts, Motherwell, Cathcart, Newton, Gourock and Wemyss Bay. Firefighters were continuing to battle a huge moorland fire in north-west England which is continuing to spread, with more than 50 homes have been evacuated. About 150 people have been affected by the evacuations in Carrbrook, near Stalybridge, Greater Manchester. The fire began on Sunday night, reignited on Monday during hot weather and then spread throughout Tuesday, fanned by evening winds. (Porthmadog 31.9C, Fair Isle 12.2C maximum, Aboyne 4.3C minimum, Scarborough 0.2 mm, Kinloss 16.2 h.)

On the 28th the Northern Isles were rather cloud, as were areas of East Anglia. Early cloud in E areas dispersed and many places reported 14-16 h of bright sunshine. A trough moved SW'wards across southern counties in the late afternoon and evening in association, leading to a rain over west Dorset in the late evening, which turned thundery over SW Cornwall later in the evening. It was another exceptionally hot day in some N and W areas . One of the UK's largest water firms was warning people to conserve supplies as it makes emergency deliveries during the heatwave. Severn Trent said homes in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire had been temporarily without water as demand has outstripped supply across its network. United Utilities, South Staffs Water and Anglian Water are among other firms urging customers to do the same. All four nations of the UK have seen temperatures hit 30C for the first time in five years. In Scotland there were reports of two roads melting in the heat, with poor conditions on the A920 between Huntly in Aberdeenshire and Dufftown in Moray, while gritters have been sent to the A916 in Fife. Scotland has recorded its hottest ever temperature, according to provisional figures from the Met Office; 33.2C was measured in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, exceeding the 32.9C recorded in August 2003, at Greycrook in the Borders. As a result of the heat, the "weatherproof" membrane on Glasgow Science Centre's roof melted and dripped black "goo" down the building. (Porthmadog 33.0C, Baltasound 14.3C maximum, Ravensworth 4.5C minimum, Morpeth Cockle Park 0.2 mm, Altnaharra 16.4 h.)

Many areas close to the North Sea were relatively cool and cloudy on the 29th - elsewhere it was a sunny day with many W areas recording 15-16 h of bright sunshine. It was again hot in many areas, exceptionally hot over parts of Northern Ireland, NW England and N Wales. (Porthmadog 32.5C, Fair Isle 12.4C maximum, Ravensworth 4.9C minimum, Herstmonceux less than 1 mm, Morecambe 16.1 h.)

Early morning cloud that had spread W'wards overnight into the UK from the North Sea30th cleared quickly in most areas to give another widely sunny and warm day. Places close to the North Sea were again cooler, however, due to the onshore flow. A recent lack of rain meant that firefighters were tacking two major grassland fires in NW England, one close to Saddleworth and another on Winter Hill in Lancashire, which has a television transmission mast that broadcasts signals to millions of people; the latter fire merged with a fire around Scout Road to the south. (Otterbourne Water Works 29.5C, Fair Isle 13.2C maximum, Redesdale Camp 4.9C minimum, Manston less than 1 mm, Morecambe 16.6 h.)

A front over W parts of the British Isles broke up during the 1st but gave a little rainfall over parts of W Scotland and W Ireland overnight and during the day. During the day an area of showery rain moved NE'wards over SW England and S Wales - giving some thunder in places. It was warm or hot over inland areas of England during the day with 30C reached in places while E and S Scotland and much of N and E England had a very sunny day. (Heathrow 31.8C, Fair Isle 14.7C maximum, Aboyne 3.0C minimum, Okehampton 20.6 mm, Morecambe 16.4 h.)

Minimum temperatures into the 2nd remained above 15C in places in and close to E Wales, and in many parts of S England. Overnight minima included 20.6C at St Catherine's Point, and 19.4C at Portland and Thorney Island. Parts of N Scotland, S Wales and SW England had a few falls of rain or showers - and there were further showers in parts of SW England during the day. Most other areas were sunny and warm; it was locally hot in the south and west. A front and an onshore breeze led to cloudier skies over much of E Scotland and parts of NE England for a time. (Hurn 31.1C, Fair Isle 13.6C maximum, Kinbrace 2.7C minimum, Middle Wallop 5.4 mm, Morecambe 16.2 h.)

The 3rd was another generally dry day although low pressure over N France led to a few showers later in SW England. Elsewhere, away from the Northern Isles and Channel Islands, most places were sunny and warm or very warm - with 25C reached in parts of N Scotland. (Porthmadog 30.1C, Baltasound 13.6C maximum, Kinbrace 4.3C minimum, Culdrose 0.8 mm, Morecambe 16.3 h.)

Under a slack area of high pressure the 4th dawned warm in most areas, with overnight minimum temperatures above 16C in the Channel Islands and parts of S Wales and SW England. There was a little rain in these areas before dawn. Low cloud affected areas towards the coast of E ad NE England for much of the morning, and it turned cloudier over Scotland during the afternoon with a few showers. An area of rain moved slowly NE'wards across Cent S and SW England and SE Wales but this died out in the afternoon - although some locally heavy showers affected parts of S England later in the day. Temperatures reached 28C as far N as Cent Scotland (28.8C at Aviemore) and Northern Ireland. It was cloudy on the Shetland Isles but very sunny over the N half of Ireland and in areas bordering the N half of the Irish Sea. (Giants Causeway 29.1C, Fair Isle 13.8C maximum, Katesbridge 4.7C minimum, St Athan 8.0 mm, Morecambe 16.4 h.)

S areas of England had some fog patches before dawn on the 5th and both here and in parts of S Wales overnight minimum temperatures were close to 15-16C in places. There were a few showers across N Scotland overnight while a few showers developed with thunder in parts of Kent and East Sussex. Behind a cold front it was cooler in W areas of the British Isles and in N Scotland; it was also rather cloudy in places here. Elsewhere, away from some parts of SE England, it was sunny with temperatures over inland areas of England widely reaching 25-27C or higher. A Kent town was left cleaning up after flash flooding left streets and railway lines under water. A sudden thunderstorm in Tunbridge Wells led to traffic gridlock and delays for rail passengers as torrential rain fell between about 1500 and 1600 GMT; the Pantiles area was left covered in mud when the water cleared. (Coton-In-The-Elms 31.2C, Fair Isle 13.7C maximum, Ravensworth 6.1C minimum, Resallach 2.2 mm, Morecambe 15.7 h.)

Minimum temperatures in parts of S Ireland, S Wales and S England on the 6th remained above 15C overnight. The day was largely dry and sunny - it was warm in the north and hot in SE England where temperatures reached 30C in places. 25C was recorded in E Ireland and 27C in parts of NE England. Parts of N and NW Scotland (where there were a few spots of rain during the day) were cloudy, as was much of W Ireland. (Teddington Bushy Park 31.4C, Fair Isle 14.4C maximum, Port Ellen 4.3C minimum, Frittenden 0.2 mm, Edinburgh Gogarbank 15.1 h.)

High pressure dominated the weather on the 7th - which was another dry day as a result, although a few weak troughs gave some light rain parts of W Ireland and W Scotland. Overnight minimum temperatures remained above 15C as far N as Lincolnshire and Belmullet and, away from W Scotland, it was generally a very sunny day across the UK. 25C was reached widely across inland areas of England and Wales with 30C in parts of SE England. (Charlwood and Heathrow 31.5C, Fair Isle 15.4C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 0.9C minimum, Altnahinch Filters 0.4 mm, Morecambe 16.0 h.)

High pressure on the 8th gave another warm and sunny day in many areas, although fronts over N areas led to some overnight rain in parts of Ireland and Scotland, the rainfall becoming more confined to NW Ireland and to N and Cent Ireland during the day. There was an overnight minimum temperature of 20.1C at St Catherine's Point. During the day temperatures reached 26C as far N as E Scotland with 30-31C in parts of the Midlands and S England. It was a very sunny day across Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and S England. (Coton-In-The-Elms 31.6C, Lerwick 13.5C maximum, Bala 8.4C minimum, Aboyne 4.8 mm, Shawbury 15.7 h.)

During the 9th a cold front pushed S'wards across the British Isles, gradually becoming confined to areas in E England as it moved. Overnight minimum temperatures of 15-16C were widespread across many areas as far N as S Scotland and Cent Ireland while during the day 30C was recorded in the London area with maxima above 25C over much of S and cent Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and S England. There were a few falls of rain in parts of E England with many areas in NE and E Scotland and along the NE coast of England remaining rather dull in a N'ly flow. (Heathrow 30.5C, Fair Isle 13.0C maximum, Shap 8.0C minimum, Kielder Castle 1.4 mm, Bude 15.4 h.)

A N'ly flow into the 10th brought some rain overnight to N England and Scotland, mainly in E areas. In S Wales, the SW Midlands, the Channel Islands and parts of S England overnight minimum temperatures remained above 16C in places. Much of Scotland remained cloudy during the day and there were some heavy falls of rain in parts of NW and N Scotland. Elsewhere cloudy varied in its coverage, although S Ireland and Cent S England had a generally sunny day. In SW England and SE Ireland the temperature reached 25-26C in places. (Chivenor 26.3C, Aultbea 14.4C maximum, Bala 6.2C minimum, Kinlochewe 47.6 mm, Lyneham 14.2 h.)

The E end of a high pressure ridge gave another generally fine day on the 11th. SW England and S wales had overnight minimum temperatures above 15C in places but over N and W Scotland and through parts of Ireland a slow-moving front gave cloudy skies and some heavy falls of rain in places. During the day this rain persisted in parts of N Ireland and W Scotland. Cloud amounts were variable over England and Wales, but many places became sunny and very warm. There were isolated showers in parts of SW England and Wales. (Newport (Salop) 27.2C, Ballypatrick Forest 13.3C maximum, Kielder Castle 5.4C minimum, Tyndrum 28.8 mm, Guernsey Airport 14.8 h.)

High pressure on the 12th meant the day began with a warm night - minimum temperatures were widely above 15C in W areas of England, Wales and in parts of SW Ireland. There were a few showers overnight in parts of W England and in E and NE Scotland. Further showers continued during the day in these areas with some heavier falls in parts of Cent S England. In most areas it was a rather cloudy day with parts of S England seeing the best of the sunshine. (Coton-In-The-Elms 26.5C, Fair Isle 13.8C maximum, Shap 7.9C minimum, Middle Wallop 16.4 mm, Camborne 14.0 h.)

The 13th was an anticyclonic day although fronts spread into W Scotland and Ireland later in the day. In many W and Cent areas of England the overnight minimum temperature remained above 15C. The day was mostly warm with sunny spells; slow-moving, heavy and locally thundery showers affected areas from Manchester across the W Midlands and E Wales to the Bristol area, across Cent S and parts of SE England and London during the afternoon and early evening. Local flooding was reported. Mist patches formed in parts of England later in the evening. (Kew Gardens 28.1C, Harris Quidnish 14.5C maximum, Katesbridge 3.2C minimum, Charlwood 29.2 mm, Guernsey Airport 14.5 h.)

Parts of N and W Scotland and W Ireland had some rain on the 14th as weak fronts pushed slowly E'wards over W parts of the British Isles. Elsewhere, the day was generally sunny with temperatures reaching 25C and above in parts of E Scotland, NE England and in most inland parts of East Anglia, Cent and S England. (Kew Gardens 29.6C, Harris Quidnish 13.6C maximum, Katesbridge 4.3C minimum, Wick Airport 13.4 mm, Morecambe 15.4 h.)

Overnight minimum temperatures into the 15th remained above 16C in parts of N Scotland and were widely above 15C over much of Ireland. Fronts crossed Scotland and Ireland during the day giving widespread falls of rain and a cloudy day here; cloudy skies also affected Wales later but much of England remained sunny - and temperatures rose above 27C in many places in the E half of England with 30C being reached in the London area and parts of East Anglia. Parts of N and E Scotland, ahead of advancing cold fronts, were locally very warm but in W Ireland maxima were below 18C in places. (Santon Downham 30.8C, Harris Quidnish 14.4C maximum, Redesdale Camp 7.2C minimum, Thomastown 23.0 mm, Hurn 15.1 h.)

Cold fronts moved E'wards towards E Britain during the 16th. Ahead of these the overnight minimum temperatures remained above 16C in places as far N as E Scotland. Outbreaks of rain affected Ireland and later parts of Scotland and NW England before dawn, although during the day the rain made little progress into E England as the fronts weakened. E, Cent and SE England were very warm or hot for much of the day, although it was cloudier for a time in the afternoon. The outbreaks of rain were heavy and thundery in places in parts of Wales and W and N England during the day; thunderstorms were fairly widespread over NE England in the evening. It turned brighter, bit cooler, during the day over Ireland and W Scotland. (Gravesend 31.5C, Fair Isle 12.9C maximum, Katesbridge 9.1C minimum, Aberporth 19.6 mm, Herstmonceux 12.0 h.)

The 17th was a cooler day behind the cold front although a few coastal areas in E and SE England had overnight minimum temperatures above 15C. Overnight there were outbreaks of rain in parts of Ireland, Scotland and N England, with the heaviest falls being over NE England - where there was also some mist and fog by dawn. There were some showery outbreaks in the north and west, especially over N Scotland. SW England and N Scotland were rather dull - elsewhere there were sunny periods although skies were also rather cloudy. (Gravesend 25.8C, Fair Isle 13.5C maximum, Braemar 5.9C minimum, High Mowthorpe 13.6 mm, Herstmonceux 12.1 h.)

Cloudy skies helped to keep the overnight temperatures above 10C in most areas on the 18th - with minima of 15-16C in parts of S Wales and S England. Overnight there was some rain in parts if Wales, N Ireland and N Scotland, in particular. During the day rainfall was mainly confined to N and SE areas of Scotland and to parts of N Wales. Despite a slack area of high pressure, the day was rather cloudy away from the Channel Islands. (Kew Gardens 26.8C, Fair Isle 15.0C maximum, Ravensworth 4.4C minimum, Porthmadog 5.6 mm, Guernsey Airport 11.4 h.)

Parts of E England remained above 15C into the 19th and until the evening most places remained dry. It was a sunny day in Wales, England and E Scotland but frontal cloud, advancing from the W, gave cloudier skies later in W parts of the British Isles and rain in W parts of Ireland and Scotland in the evening. Many parts of the Midlands, East Anglia and Cent S and SE England saw temperatures rising above 25C during the afternoon. (Northolt 29.1C, Harris Quidnish 14.5C maximum, Dalwhinnie 3.2C minimum, South Uist 5.2 mm, Aberdaron 14.6 h.)

Frontal out breaks of rain crossed the British Isles from the W on the 20th giving mainly light falls away from N Ireland and W Scotland. Ahead of the rain it was a mild night in Cent S and SE England with the overnight minimum temperature being 18.8C at Heathrow. S England, East Anglia and S England were hot and sunny in places ahead of the rain - although the extreme Se of England was cooler with some separate outbreaks of rain. Elsew eher, the day was generally cloudy. (Hull East Park 28.4C, Spadeadam 14.0C maximum, Ravensworth 4.5C minimum, Drumnadrochit 27.0 mm, Jersey Airport 13.6 h.)

It remained mainly cloudy into the 21st with overnight minimum temperatures above 15C in many parts of S England and S Wales - and with further outbreaks of rain in many areas. It remained cloudy during the day across much of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and N England with further rain in Ireland, W and N Scotland during the day. It was very warm in parts of S England and East Anglia - but quite cool in parts of W Ireland and cooler in the wetter parts of Scotland. (Cavendish 29.1C, Fair Isle 13.9C maximum, Coton-In-The-Elms 9.3C minimum, Liscombe 10.2 mm, Weybourne 11.3 h.)

Many places as far N as N Ireland and Cumbria had overnight minimum temperatures above 15C into the 22nd. Rainfall was mainly confined to W and N Scotland overnight and in N Scotland at times during the day. Many places were warm, locally hot, in a warm sector during the day and places from S Wales towards Jersey were very sunny. (Pershore 29.8C, Fair Isle 14.1C maximum, Santon Downham 11.0C minimum, Killylane 10.8 mm, Jersey Airport 14.5 h.)

Into the 23rd overnight minimum temperatures were widely above 16C as far N as Cent Scotland. There was some patchy fog before dawn in parts of S England while during the day a cold front pushed slowly S'wards giving rainfall across Ireland, Scotland and later in N England. Daytime temperatures reached 25C in parts of E Scotland and E Ireland, with 27C being recorded widely across inland areas of England - away from the SW. After some overnight rain N Scotland became quite sunny and it was also sunny over SE England and East Anglia. (Santon Downham 33.3C, Giants Causeway 15.2C maximum, Baltasound 11.3C minimum, Auchincruive 21.6 mm, Shoeburyness 14.4 h.)

By 2400 GMT on the 24th the cold front lay from Humberside to Dorset. Many areas of England and Wales had overnight minimum temperatures above 15C as a result, with maxima reaching 25-28C in much of E and SE England, the Midlands and East Anglia. The front gave some showery falls of rain, mainly across S Scotland overnight with falls during the day becoming lighter as the front moved E'wards. Ahead of the front and in some W areas of Ireland, and in N and W Scotland, it was a sunny day. (Cavendish 31.4C, Fair Isle 15.5C maximum, Drumnadrochit 8.0C minimum, Dundrennan 7.0 mm, Hurn 13.9 h.)

After a warm night in the SE corner of England the 25th was mostly sunny and warm everywhere - and hot in Se England. Low pressure pushed some frontal rain into parts of N and W Scotland later in the day, and the Northern isles remained rather cloudy all day. (Wisley 32.0C, Lerwick 15.5C maximum, Braemar 4.2C minimum, Lerwick 4.4 mm, St Athan 14.3 h.)

The 26th was a hot day over much of the UK and in E Ireland, but frontal rain spread into W Ireland (and later over W Scotland) during the day with 17 mm falling on Sherkin Island in the 12 hours ending 1800 GMT. Earlier, minimum temperatures had remained above 17C overnight in SW Ireland and in parts of E and SE England. Maximum temperatures reached 32-35C in East Anglia, the E Midlands and Cent S and SE England. Thundery showers developed over parts of E and NE England in the afternoon and evening, and a few showers moved N'wards over Cent S England in the evening. In Yorkshire the thunderstorms were described as 'torrential' in places, with large hail also falling. There were reported delays of more than five hours in 30C heat, caused by air conditioning problems on Eurotunnel's trains. A spokesman said: "The prolonged and unprecedented temperatures in the South East of England are affecting the air conditioning on board our shuttles. (Wisley 35.1C, Fair Isle 15.6C maximum, Braemar 4.8C minimum, South Uist 16.4 mm, Valley 14.8 h.)

Low pressure on the 27th, centre down to 996 mb at 2400 GMT off SW Wales, pushed a cold front and accompanying rain E'wards over Ireland overnight and across W Britain later in the day. E areas of Scotland and Ireland, along with many parts of England and W Wales, has a warm night with the overnight minimum temperature at Langdon Bay being 20.6C. Thunderstorms, some severe with torrential rain, hail and gusty winds, affected many eastern districts, especially during the early hours and in the late afternoon and evening; in particular they became widespread over Scotland in the evening. Ireland had a dull day but elsewhere there were sunny spells and it became very hot over the east of East Anglia. Eurotunnel passengers endured delays of about two hours at the terminal near Folkestone in Kent - after problems with air conditioning in carriages. The firm said it had taken an "unprecedented decision" to cancel thousands of day trip tickets for Friday to ease the long queues. Rail services on the East Coast mainline were also been disrupted after lightning strikes damaged signalling. Network Rail said speed restrictions remained in place for some Chiltern Railways, Northern and Greater Anglia services, amid fears high temperatures could cause the tracks to expand and "buckle". Fire and rescue crews were called to homes hit by lightning in Nether Poppleton, Wiggington, and Carrfield in York. The homes were damaged by the strikes, but there are no reports of injuries. Fans of Sir Tom Jones were left disappointed when he was forced to cancel a concert at York Racecourse due to thunderstorms. Firefighters in Wales were battling wildfires across the country, with the biggest on Twmbarlwm mountain, Caerphilly, still burning two weeks after it began. National Air Traffic Services put temporary restrictions in place during the thundery weather during the day, affecting flights from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Luton and Stansted. 30 flights were cancelled at Stansted airport with delays and further cancellations continuing into Saturday. (Tibenham Airfield 34.7C, Tiree 17.9C maximum, Tyndrum 8.6C minimum, Wainfleet 64.4 mm, Morecambe 13.5 h.)

Shallow low pressure centres remained close to Ireland on the 28th and, after a warm night in E parts of England and Scotland in particular, the day was much cooler than recently. There were widespread showers overnight and during the day, with some heavy rain in places. During the afternoon over Northern Ireland the axis of a sharp upper cold pool just behind a depression crossed the area leading to very heavy rainfall (88.2 mm of rainfall was recorded in a few hours at Aldergrove) that led to flooding to the Belfast area. Thunderstorms occurred in places. There was some sunshine - especially in S Ireland, East Anglia and SE England. Homes were flooded in County Antrim and traffic brought to a standstill. Ryanair was forced to cancel a number of flights from the airport. Trains from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross were cancelled after a lightning strike damaged signalling equipment in NE England. (Weybourne 24.0C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park 14.2C maximum, Okehampton 8.9C minimum, Aldergrove 98.8 mm, Herstmonceux 11.6 h.)

Conditions remained cyclonic on the 29th, which was mainly cloudy with spells of rain and drizzle. Ireland was the driest area of the British Isles with sunny spells here in the N and in parts of N and W Scotland. Large areas of E England remained dull during the day. Overnight it was warm in the SE corner of England. (Shawbury 24.6C, Tyndrum 14.1C maximum, Katesbridge 5.4C minimum, Capel Curig 51.2 mm, Magilligan 11.5 h.)

After a warm night (overnight minimum temperatures of 18C in places) across much of S England and East Anglia into the 30th, the day became warm in parts of E England. Generally, a cyclonic S'ly flow led to a showery day with more general rain over N Wales, N England and S Scotland. Sunny periods affected most areas although SW England remained dull in places - and it was a relatively cool day in W areas of the British Isles. (Hull East Park 26.2C, Harris Quidnish 14.9C maximum, Altnaharra 4.1C minimum, Kielder Castle 21.6 mm, Kirkwall 10.3 h.)

Outbreaks of rain affected many areas overnight into the 31st. Thunderstorms broke out around dawn over the SW Midlands, and over West Sussex and Surrey; both areas moved generally N/NE'wards. There was also some thunder in mid-morning over north Lincolnshire. A warm day followed in much of East Anglia and SE England - but was more unsettled with some rain over parts of Ireland, and in W and N Scotland. (Gravesend 25.8C, Harris Quidnish 14.4C maximum, Katesbridge 3.9C minimum, Tyndrum 16.0 mm, St Athan 13.5 h.)

A SW'ly flow drew mild air over E areas of the UK on the 1st with daytime temperatures reaching 25C and above in parts of East Anglia, the E midlands and SE England. This followed a mild night in SW England and S Ireland where minimum temperatures overnight remained above 15C in places. Overnight rain in some W areas became largely confined to Scotland, Ireland and N England during the day. It was cloudy in these areas - although E Scotland had some sunshine - with the very warm areas in the Se having the best of the sunshine. (Santon Downham 26.9C, Harris Quidnish 14.5C maximum, South Newington 7.4C minimum, Killowen 21.4 mm, Shoeburyness 12.9 h.)

Overnight into the 2nd rain was mainly confine to Ireland, Scotland, N England and W Wales - while overnight minimum temperatures remained above 16C in many parts of Ireland, W Wales, SW and N England. After a bright start to the day rain affected much of Ireland, Scotland and parts of Wales later in the day. It was a sunny, and very warm, day in parts of E Scotland, while temperatures rose above 27C in parts of E and SE England where it was also a very sunny day. (Gravesend 30.6C, Harris Quidnish 15.3C maximum, Frittenden 9.4C minimum, Braemar 20.2 mm, Guernsey Airport 14.6 h.)

The 3rd dawned after a very warm night across the British Isles with minimum temperatures overnight tanging from 13C on Shetland to 15-17C widely across Ireland, Wales, England and S Scotland. After some overnight rain across Scotland parts of Ireland, a band of cloud and outbreaks of rain moved slowly SE'wards into England and Wales, and turned thundery around midday over North Yorkshire. There was very little rain as the frontal band moved SE'wards across England.
Scotland and Northern Ireland were fairly cloudy with some showers, but it was sunnier in E Scotland; thundery showers broke out in Aberdeenshire later. Maximum temperatures were generally above 27C SE of a line Plymouth-Hull, with 30C reached in East Anglia and SE England. (Kew Gardens 33.2C, Ballypatrick Forest 14.9C maximum, Balmoral 11.1C minimum, Inverbervie 19.0 mm, East Malling 14.1 h.)

It was a warm night across much of England into the 4th with minimum temperatures widely above 15C here overnight. In SE England minima were around 18-20C in places. Despite the presence of high pressure it was a cloudy day across much of Ireland and Scotland - and in a few other areas such as parts of Cornwall. Scotland and Ireland also had some light rain in places but temperatures rose to 25C and above over much of E Wales and S and Cent areas of England. (Gosport Fleetlands 29.8C, Resallach 14.8C maximum, Eskdalemuir 7.0C minimum, Resallach 7.6 mm, Jersey Airport 13.9 h.)

High pressure (centre 1025 mb just NE of Norfolk at 1200 GMT) dominated the weather on the 5th. Some frontal cloud gave cloudy skies and some rain across N Scotland while later in the day fronts pushed E'wards into W parts of Ireland and Scotland. Much of England, away from the SW and NW, had a sunny day with afternoon temperatures widely reaching 26C away from the coasts. Temperatures reached 29C in the London area. By late evening the rain had spread as far E as E Scotland although N England remained largely dry. (Northolt 30.2C, Fair Isle 13.4C maximum, Shap 6.8C minimum, Harris Quidnish 12.2 mm, East Malling 14.5 h.)

Fronts spread across Scotland and much of Ireland during the 6th although rainfall amounts were generally light. Minimum temperatures overnight exceeded 15Cin many parts of England and in a few places in S Wales, Cent Scotland and W Ireland. As the rain eased off across Scotland during the day it turned sunny here in places, especially in E Scotland. Most of England and E Wales had a warm day with temperatures widely reaching 25-28C, while E and S England were also sunny. (Teddington Bushy Park 32.5C, Lerwick 14.9C maximum, Hurn 10.0C minimum, Achnagart 14.8 mm, East Malling 14.1 h.)

Low pressure to the NW of Scotland on the 7th drew a SW'ly flow across the British Isles but associated frontal cloud led to some light falls of rain in Scotland and Ireland - and in a few W'ly parts of Wales and England. Over the E half of England temperatures were widely 25-28C, reaching 30C and above in parts of SE England. However, it turned cloudier later in SE England with some outbreaks of rain and thunder during the afternoon and evening. (Gravesend 33.2C, Tulloch Bridge 15.4C maximum, Balmoral 6.5C minimum, Eskdalemuir 11.2 mm, Lyneham 12.0 h.)

Fronts crossing the British Isles from the W during the 8th led to a showery day in many areas. Overnight rain was largely confined to Ireland with some falls in SE England and East Anglia where minimum temperatures remained above 15C in places. During the day most places to the W and NW of a line Solent-The Wash saw some falls of rain with isolated thunder in the N and W. It was generally cooler in E areas than had been the case so far during the month as increased cloud amounts reduced sunshine totals; parts of E Scotland also had an early ground frost. (Cavendish 25.6C, Tulloch Bridge 14.9C maximum, Aboyne 3.2C minimum, Okehampton 16.0 mm, Aberdaron 10.6 h.)

Low pressure over the near-continent on the 9th led to a wet day over SE England and East Anglia, with some heavy rain - especially in the late afternoon and early evening when it also turned thundery in places. Then, as the main rain area continued to drift away slowly across East Anglia, heavy, thundery showers affected the Home Counties. Elsewhere it was a largely sunny day (there was some early ground frost in parts of E Scotland) - although slightly less sunny over Ireland and N Scotland. There were some showers in places - which turned heavy and thundery in places. (Plymouth 23.4C, Dalwhinnie 14.7C maximum, Aboyne 0.5C minimum, Cavendish 26.2 mm, Shap Fell and Valley 12.9 h.)

The 10th began with a cool night across Scotland and in parts of N England and Wales. Trough-bearing showers were widespread overnight and during the day. There was some thundery activity near Irish Sea coasts at first, and quite widely later over England, away from the southwest, and E Scotland. The showers developed into an organised band as they
crossed SE areas in the afternoon, and this stalled near the southeast coast, leading to high rainfall totals in and around Sussex. It was sunniest across Ireland and in parts of W Wales and SW Scotland. (Filton 21.2C, Ballypatrick Forest 14.3C maximum, Braemar 0.7C minimum, Herstmonceux 49.8 mm, Cork Airport 13.2 h.)

During the 11th a ridge of high pressure gave way from the W to a series of fronts that affected most areas by midnight. It was largely dry overnight although some fog patches formed before dawn across N Ireland and S Scotland; it was a cool night away from Cornwall and the extreme SW of Ireland. During the afternoon rain spread across Ireland and into SW England and Wales - before spreading N'wards into S Scotland during the evening. Ahead of the rain there were some long spells of sunshine in E parts of the UK, where it was also warmest. (Hull East Park 24.6C, Fair Isle 14.6C maximum, Katesbridge 0.2C minimum, Pembrey Sands 19.0 mm, Tibenham Airfield 11.7 h.)

A shallow low cross Ireland during the 12th (centre 1005 mb over Cumbria by 2400 GMT) leading to a mainly cloudy day (except across the Northern Isles0 as a result of the accompanying fronts. Rain affected all areas with some heavy falls in places; thunder occurred late in the day in parts of the S and W Midlands, N Wales and parts of N England. (Charsfield 23.9C, Braemar 12.6C maximum, Baltasound 6.2C minimum, Spadeadam 78.8 mm, Lerwick 14.3 h.)

The low centre moved slowly E'wards on the 13th giving a warm night across much of England with rain in many areas of the UK. The day was rather showery, especially in the N and E, with thunder in the afternoon over E England. It remained mainly cloudy although later it turned sunnier over SW and S England. Temperature remained mild in many places during the day with 25C reached in the London area. (Teddington Bushy Park 25.6C, Cassley 14.1C maximum, Castlederg 8.6C minimum, Albemarle 24.0 mm, Guernsey Airport 8.3 h.)

Cloud skies into the 14th led to a mild night in most areas with some light rain in parts of Ireland and Scotland. Some light rain fell overnight in SW England and there were a few mist patches across England by dawn. Rain and drizzle moved E'wards across N Ireland, Scotland and N England ; elsewhere it remained rather cloudy but mainly dry. (Heathrow 26.6C, Fair Isle 15.0C maximum, Baltasound 6.7C minimum, Kinbrace 7.2 mm, Odiham 5.9 h.)

The 15th was another rather cloudy day with a mild flow from the SW. Overnight minimum temperatures were widely above 15C from S Scotland S'wards (reaching 17-18C in places) with some rain over Ireland, Wales and Scotland overnight. Further bands of rain moved NE'wards in these areas during the day giving heavy falls in some areas, with brighter - and warm - weather in parts of E England. (Coningsby 26.5C, Harris Quidnish 14.4C maximum, Kinbrace 10.9C minimum, Capel Curig 53.6 mm, Weybourne 9.3 h.)

Fronts followed by troughs moved across the British Isles from the W on the 16th. This led to a slow-moving band of rain that brought the first major falls of rain of the month to some places. Brighter but showery weather followed from the W - although these showers were largely confined to Ireland and Scotland - while the best of the sunshine was to be found in E and Ne areas of Scotland and in places in NW Wales. (Pershore 21.6C, Cluanie Inn 14.4C maximum, Kinbrace 4.4C minimum, Sennybridge 20.6 mm, Dyce 11.2 h.)

Away from E, S and Cent areas of England the 17th was a dull day, as frontal rain spread across these areas. There was some sunshine in E and NE Scotland ahead of the rain that was heavy in parts of NW Ireland and W Scotland. SE England remained mainly bright with some sunshine. (Heathrow 23.7C, Spadeadam 13.7C maximum, Santon Downham 5.3C minimum, Tyndrum 20.0 mm, Shoeburyness 11.8 h.)

The 18th was a cloudy day in most areas although parts of NE Scotland and E England had some sunny spells. There was some rain in S Scotland, N England and in parts of Ireland overnight with a few patches of drizzly rain in Cent and SW districts during the day. By 2400 GMT a low centre (down to 1009 mb) was centred over NW Ireland - the remnants of ex-hurricane Ernesto. This gave an area of more general rain that moved NE'wards across much of Ireland and S and Cent Scotland during the late afternoon and evening. It became warm in the afternoon in E Ireland. (Oak Park, Carlow 26.6C, Salsburgh 13.7C maximum, Lerwick 10.5C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 12.2 mm, Kinloss 7.9 h.)

Pressure remained generally low on the 19th with frontal bands of rain affecting many areas during the day - although the heaviest rain fell overnight over N Ireland, N England and S Scotland. Minimum temperatures of 17-18C occurred over night in many parts of England and Wales, with minima of 15-16C in S Scotland and across Ireland. Sunny spells developed over N and W Scotland, and in SE England - it turned warm over SE England during the day in this sunshine. (Heathrow 28.3C, Balmoral 13.5C maximum, Tain Range 5.5C minimum, Charterhall 25.4 mm, Manston 6.6 h.)

A cloudy area of high pressure affected the British Isles on the 20th. Overnight minimum temperatures were around 15-17C across Wales and all but the northern-most parts of Ireland and England; 19.4C was the minimum temperature at Gravesend overnight. Some light frontal rain and drizzle across Ireland, Wales and England at times overnight and during the day - although Scotland remained largely dry. It was foggy at first near some southwestern coasts and there were some heavy showers over North Yorkshire in the evening. (Heathrow 26.2C, Lerwick 13.7C maximum, Tyndrum 4.3C minimum, Topcliffe 10.4 mm, Tiree 9.8 h.)

Frontal cloud early on the 21st gradually gave way to sunny conditions over the S half of the British Isles, although NW Ireland and W Scotland remained cloudy as fronts edged SE'wards here later in the day bringing rainfall with them. The night was warm across England and Wales with overnight minimum temperatures of 17-19C in places - while during the day parts of E England and E Ireland reached 25C in a warm S'ly flow. (Northolt 27.6C, Fair Isle 13.4C maximum, Altnaharra 4.5C minimum, South Uist 14.6 mm, Shoeburyness 10.3 h.)

A cold front spread SE'wards over most areas during the 22nd - after a warm night in England, Wales, S Ireland and E Scotland where temperatures remained above 17C in places. Falls of rain from the front were light over England and Wales; it turned brighter behind the front - and also in parts of E England with temperatures reaching 26C in and close to Lincolnshire. Further frontal showers affected W Scotland in the evening. (Coningsby 27.0C, Fair Isle 14.0C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 9.9C minimum, Achnagart 22.4 mm, Weybourne 11.3 h.)

It was warm overnight into the 23rd across S England and East Anglia ahead of an area of light rain. As further rain spread SE'wards the day was generally rather cloudy - although it brightened up behind this rain across N and W Scotland and in W Ireland. Some of the following rain was heavy in places and thunder was heard in places - as a cooler flow from the NW became established. (Manston 24.2C, Spadeadam 12.4C maximum, Aboyne 5.2C minimum, Waddington 17.0 mm, Tiree 7.6 h.)

A brisk W to NW'ly flow on the 24th resulted in a cool day with showers in many areas - especially in the W. There was thunder over NW Wales, and in parts of the Midlands and E England. A longer period of rain crossed southern Britain during the late afternoon and early evening. (Heathrow 21.0C, Lough Fea 12.4C maximum, Aboyne 2.9C minimum, Keswick 18.6 mm, Charterhall 9.4 h.)

During the 25th a ridge of high pressure became established over the British Isles from the W, but by late evening the next frontal system was introducing rain from the W over W and Cent Ireland. S Scotland and much of England and Wales had a sunny day but there were also some showers - many of which fed into the Midlands during the day - with isolated reports of thunder. (Gosport Fleetlands 20.5C, Loch Glascarnoch 12.5C maximum, Kielder Castle 1.9C minimum, Pershore 10.6 mm, Morecambe 12.9 h.)

The 26th was a cloudy day as an area of low pressure to the NW of Ireland drove frontal rainbands across all areas. The low also gave blustery conditions and it was a generally cool day following a mild night in SW England and in S parts of Ireland and Wales. The rain was heavy and persistent in parts of England and Wales during the day. (Hereford 20.4C, Loch Glascarnoch 10.3C maximum, Fyvie Castle 3.2C minimum, Mumbles Head 40.2 mm, Lerwick 1.5 h.)

The 27th was a cool day with maximum temperatures below 18C in many areas and with very few stations reaching 20C. Low pressure to the NW of the UK led to a widely cloudy day with some falls of rain in N and W areas. The best of any sunshine was to be found in E Scotland, East Anglia and in E Ireland. (Santon Downham 20.5C, Altnahinch Filters 13.7C maximum, Drumnadrochit 3.8C minimum, Port Ellen 10.4 mm, Leuchars 6.7 h.)

Away from the Channel Islands the 28th was another rather cloudy day. The cloud helped to lift the overnight minimum temperatures but kept it cool by day. There were a few showers in W areas during the day until frontal rain pushed into W parts of Scotland and Ireland later in the afternoon. Some showery outbreaks moved into S Britain in the evening. (Gravesend 22.0C, Dalwhinnie 13.2C maximum, Aboyne 2.5C minimum, Harris Quidnish 12.4 mm, Jersey Airport 6.5 h.)

A weakening cold front crossed most areas on the 29th with high pressure developing from the W during the day.
Rain overnight in W areas weakened as the front pushed E'wards bright or sunny day with a few showers. However, the rain did not clear from SE England until later in the day - it remained cloudy here throughout the day but it turned sunny in the W and n, especially over E Scotland. (Filton 21.7C, Fair Isle 13.9C maximum, Katesbridge 2.4C minimum, Manston 19.0 mm, Kinloss 11.3 h.)

There was a ground frost in parts of E Scotland and N England before dawn on the 30th. Under high pressure, many places were quite sunny, although it was fairly cloudy in the S England, S Ireland and the Channel Islands. There were a few showers over Scotland and W Ireland. (Frittenden 21.3C, Fair Isle 14.1C maximum, Eskdalemuir 1.1C minimum, Prestwick 3.8 mm, Leconfield 11.0 h.)

Pressure remained high in the E on the 31st and the day dawned with a ground frost in inland areas of E Scotland and NE England. It was a dull day in W Ireland but sunny elsewhere - some light rain and drizzle fell in parts of W Ireland later in the day as frontal cloud moved E'wards here. In SE England and East Anglia there were isolated showers during the day. (Hampton Water Works 22.7C, Fair Isle 13.5C maximum, Braemar -1.3C minimum, South Uist 1.4 mm, Lerwick 12.9 h.)

Overnight into the 1st rain and drizzle moved SE'wards across Scotland and Ireland, with much of England and Wales dawning dry but misty. During the day the rain largely dissipated close to the England/Scotland border. Most N and W areas remained cloudy, and it was damp and misty at times near parts of the Cornish coast, S Ireland and the Isle of Man. Over eastern and much of central England it was sunny and warm with over 11 h of bright sunshine in E areas. (St Helier 25.3C, Lerwick 13.5C maximum, Redesdale Camp 3.7C minimum, Dundrennan 9.2 mm, Shoeburyness 12.7 h.)

It remained mild overnight across the British Isles into the 2nd with minimum temperatures overnight in excess of 15C in much of N and W England and Wales. Overnight minima of 17-18C occurred in parts of SW England, W Midlands,
Wales and NW England. Ireland and N and W districts of the UK were mostly cloudy with a few areas of drizzle and rain. E Engand and much of Cent England were sunny. Many places were warm, with parts of the E and N very warm. (Topcliffe 26.1C, Harris Quidnish 15.1C maximum, Frittenden 5.4C minimum, Scolton Country Park 8.4 mm, Wittering 12.6 h.)

A weakening band of frontal rain moved slowly SE'wards on the 3rd giving mainly light falls over Ireland, Scotland, Wales and N England overnight - the over Wales, W and N England and S Scotland during the day. By dawn there was widespread mist and fog patches across Cent, S and E parts of England - which soon cleared. It turned sunny in the W as the rai cleared, and remained sunny in E areas of England during the day. It was quite warm in these sunnier, E areas. (Otterbourne Water Works 24.9C, Charterhall 11.9C maximum, Altnaharra -0.2C minimum, Charterhall 19.4 mm, Weybourne 11.3 h.)

Despite air pressure being generally high on the 4th, weak fronts gave some rain overnight in an area from SE Scotland to SW England - and then across parts of Cent England during the day. There were a few light showers during the day in SE England with heavier showers here in the evening. There was a slight air frost in parts of E ad Cent Scotland - while during the day the best of the sunshine was to found on the Northern Isles and from SW Scotland to N Wales. It was a cool day in places where sunshine amounts were limited. (Gosport Fleetlands 23.4C, Loftus 12.6C maximum, Braemar -2.5C minimum, Winterbourne No.2 7.0 mm, Ronaldsway 12.5 h.)

Scattered mist and fog patches affected many areas of the UK by dawn on the 5th following a night that saw falls of light rain and drizzle across parts of Ireland, W Scotland and E areas of England. These areas remained rather cloudy during the day due to frontal systems. Cloud and rain moved slowly SE'wards across Scotland and Ireland. It was fairly cloudy over
much of E and SE England with some showers; elsewhere it was a generally sunny day with warm conditions in parts of S England - following a mild night in the Channel Islands and parts of SW England. (Gosport Fleetlands 23.8C, Fylingdales 12.7C maximum, Eskdalemuir 0.9C minimum, Manston 13.2 mm, Morecambe 12.0 h.)

A N'ly airflow on the 6th brought outbreaks of frontal rain to many parts of Ireland, Scotland and N England overnight with the rainfall spreading S'wards during the day. Brighter conditions spread to all but southern counties by the evening; there were showers over N England and Scotland during the day, with local thunder over S Scotland and the extreme N of England. It was warm in SE England ahead of the rain, but otherwise mostly rather cool. (Heathrow 22.6C, Dalwhinnie 11.0C maximum, Braemar -0.4C minimum, Salsburgh 15.8 mm, Altnaharra 10.3 h.)

With the British Isles lying behind a cold front in a mostly N'ly flow, the 7th was a cool day in places. Sheltered parts of Scotland, N England and a few other sites as far S as the Chilterns reported a slight ground frost by dawn. It was a sunny day across the S half of England and Wales. N and E districts were fairly cloudy with showers or longer outbreaks of rain, which gradually cleared into the North Sea during the day. (Heathrow 20.4C, Fylingdales 12.4C maximum, Eskdalemuir -0.5C minimum, Walney Island 12.2 mm, Shoeburyness 10.9 h.)

There was patchy sea fog on the 8th around the Northern Isles, but most of the rest of N and E Scotland, and northern-most areas of NE England, were bright, and locally quite warm. Other districts were mostly cloudy with spells of rain or drizzle, although it was largely dry during the daylight hours in S England. Falls of rain were heavy in parts of S Ireland overnight and in places over high ground in Wales during the day. (Heathrow 21.0C, Fair Isle 13.7C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 2.6C minimum, Capel Curig 34.0 mm, Stornoway 10.2 h.)

The 9th dawned after a mild night in parts of S England and S Wales - ahead of cold fronts that crossed all areas from the W during the day. Scotland and Ireland were showery with sunny spells after overnight rain - ecept over the Northern Isles where another frontal system led to a rather cloudy day with some rain. Across England and Wales frontal rainfall amounts were less and many areas escaped the daytime showers. (Heathrow 24.7C, Cluanie Inn 12.8C maximum, Aboyne 4.0C minimum, Cluanie Inn 26.2 mm, Herstmonceux and Jersey Airport 8.3 h.)

Overnight minimum temperatures into the 10th remained above 10C in parts of Cent S England and the Channel Islands. Overnight rain in N and W Scotland and in N and W Ireland spread NE'wards as far S as N wales and N England during the day with heavy falls over some of the higher ground. It was dry further south, and quite sunny and moderately warm in SE England. It became quite windy as an area of low pressure headed towards Stornoway (MSL pressure here down to 997 mb at 2400 GMT). (Heathrow 22.7C, Spadeadam 12.4C maximum, Dalwhinnie 8.3C minimum, Cluanie Inn 45.0 mm, Shoeburyness 8.3 h.)

A brisk W'ly flow became established on the 11th once a low pressure system had passed NE'wards over te Northern Isles. It was a fairly cloudy day in most areas - particularly so across parts of the Midlands and S England - although there were sunnier interludes, especially in N areas after overnight rain here, and also in parts of SE England and East Anglia.
The rain moved slowly southeast across England and Wales during the day, but became lighter and patchy; heavier frontal rain returned to W and N parts of the British Isles in the evening. It was a warm day in parts of S England. (Exeter Airport 25.3C, Cluanie Inn 12.5C maximum, Altnahinch Filters 7.6C minimum, Blencathra 33.4 mm, Shoeburyness 7.8 h.)

A W'ly flow on the 12th led to a showery day in Scotland and Ireland with sunny spells, following the SE'ward of rain overnight. The night was wet over many parts of England and Wales, and it stayed cloudy over the Cent S and SE England with rain or drizzle into the afternoon. Sunny skies gradually extended SE'wards to other areas. Overnight minimum temperatures remained above 15C on the Channel Islands, but daytime maximum temperatures remained below 15C in many parts of S England. (Bridlington 19.3C, Cluanie Inn 11.9C maximum, Fyvie Castle 4.1C maximum, Cluanie Inn 21.2 mm, Aberdaron 10.4 h.)

There was a ground frost early on the 13th in parts of East Anglia, the Midlands and Cent S England with fog patches in these areas by dawn. Under high pressure, S Britain had a sunny day. Further N and W it was mostly cloudy, blustery and cool with patchy rain due to weak frontal systems and a W'ly/SW'ly surface flow. (St James Park 20.9C maximum, Dalwhinnie 10.9C maximum, South Newington 1.3C minimum, Achnagart 16.4 mm, Shoeburyness 11.0 h.)

Despite high pressure persisting over S areas on the 14th it was a rather cloudy day in all areas as weak frontal systems moved slowly S'wards. These gave patchy rain and drizzle although it turned brighter over Scotland later in the day. Across S areas of England and Ireland falls were slight, with parts of S England having a mainly dry day. (Plymouth 20.4C, Dalwhinnie 10.9 C maximum, Shoreham 6.0C minimum, Cassley 22.8 mm, Stornoway 7.8 h.)

Pressure remained high over S England on the 15th (above 1020 mb in the SE at 2400 GMT) but low over NW Ireland (a centre 992 mb just to the NW at this time). N and E Scotland (there was an early ground in places here) and SE England were sunny for some time, otherwise it was fairly cloudy. There were a few patches of rain in the N and the W, before more general rain moved NE'wards across Ireland, Scotland and N England during the afternoon and evening in association with the low. In was warm in SE England in a warm sector. (Heathrow 22.1C, Dalwhinnie 12.0C maximum, Balmoral 1.7C minimum, Cluanie Inn 14.4 mm, Shoeburyness 9.6 h.)

After a fairly cloudy morning on the 16th, SE and N England became sunny and warm. Wales, SW England, the Midlands and E England were mostly cloudy with some rain, especially over Wales. Scotland and Ireland were fairly cloudy with showery outbreaks, but also some sunshine, especially in E Scotland. Away from the sunnier areas, temperatures
were mostly not far from normal. (Cambridge NIAB 24.3C, Cluanie Inn 11.3C maximum, Frittenden 8.0C minimum, Achnagart 34.2 mm, Wattisham 8.3 h.)

A freshening warm, S'ly flow became established on the 17th as the remains of ex-tropical storm Helene moved NE'wards towards S Ireland (centre 990 mb off SE Ireland by 2400 GMT). SE Britain was mostly sunny, after a cloudy start in
places. The sunny skies extended NW'wards during the day, across much of England and Wales, except the most NW'ly and W'ly regions. Most of N and W Britain, and Ireland, was dull, and often wet, with heavy falls of rain in W Scotland. It was warm or very warm in the sunnier areas in the E. (Santon Downham 26.0C, Lerwick 12.4C maximum, Topcliffe 5.0C minimum, Harris Quidnish 43.2 mm, Shoeburyness 10.8 h.)

The low pressure system moved from SE Ireland towards NE Scotland by 1200 GMT on the 18th leading to a rather cloudy and blustery day in most areas - with outbreaks of rain or drizzle mainly in the N and W. SE parts of Britain were the sunniest areas, and it was a mainly mild day here (after a warm night with overnight minimum temperatures of 16-18C in places), especially in the E ahead of an E'ward-moving cold front. Winds gusted up to 70 mph during the passage of the system. (Coningsby 24.3C, Kirkwall 12.9C maximum, Pateley Bridge Ravens Nest 9.2C minimum, Tyndrum 34.2 mm, Shoeburyness 6.4 h.)

Storm Ali moved NE'wards from the Atlantic towards the Western Isles (centre 975 mb at 1200 GMT) and Shetland on the
19th giving a cloudy and windy day. There were severe gales in some N and W districts, especially around northern Irish Sea coasts. Many places had some rain, the heaviest and most persistent being over W Scotland, but it was largely dry in much of the SE corner of England. After a warm night across much of England and Wales (overnight minimum temperatures were widely in the range 15-17C in S Wales, S, Cent and E England, it was a warm day in E England under the warm sector. The strongest gusts being recorded in Ireland, Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Exposed areas saw even higher gusts with Cairngorm Summit recording 105 mph and the Tay Road Bridge recording a gust of 102 mph. Storm Ali caused extensive power outages and travel disruption in Northern Ireland and Scotland, including the closure of exposed bridges. There was also damage to buildings and vehicles alongside many fallen trees across the northwest of the UK. Unfortunately, two people also lost their lives as a result of the storm. A woman died after the caravan she was in was blown off a cliff in the Irish Republic, while in Northern Ireland a man was killed by a falling tree. Others were injured, including a woman who was badly hurt when a tree fell on a car in Cheshire. Five hundred cruise passengers and crew were stranded in Greenock after severe weather broke their ship's mooring lines. Tugs were called in to assist the Nautica. Earlier, a freight train derailed on the Highland Main Line after striking fallen branches. In Edinburgh, a section of Princes Street in the city centre was closed after parts of the roof of the Top Shop building came off in strong winds. The M6 was closed northbound between J43 and J44 after a lorry was blown over and the Tay Road Bridge between Fife and Dundee was shut for much of the day. Trains to and from Glasgow Central station were suspended. ScotRail was advising against all but essential travel, with a number of routes suspended due to trees on the line or overhead wires being damaged. (Marham 24.6C, Loch Glascarnoch 9.5C maximum, Tain Range 5.2C minimum, Cluanie Inn 70.6 mm, Shoeburyness 6.6 h.)

A second named storm, Bronagh, developed as it moved rapidly NE'wards (centre 999 mb at 1200 GMT off SW Ireland) on the 20th, being located at 986 mb over NW England by 2400 GMT. N Scotland was cloudy with rain at times. Much of the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the extreme N of England was bright or sunny for a time before it clouded over from the south. S Britain had patchy rain overnight (it was warm in SE England with 16-18C minimum temperatures in places), and an area of rain, some of it heavy, moved NE'wards, then N'wards across much of S Ireland, England and Wales during the day, and into Scotland and Northern Ireland in the evening. It remained largely dry in SE England, but cloudy. As the low moved N'wards and its cold front edged E'wards to the S of it, rain areas moved SE'wards into the evening in most areas. The heaviest falls during 0600-1800 GMT were between S Wales and NE England; storm Bronagh brought flooding in parts of Wales and Yorkshire as well as some disruption to power supplies and channel ferry crossings. Fallen trees also led to some rail delays and cancellations. (Heathrow 21.9C, Killylane 9.9C maximum, Glenanne 4.6C minimum, Sennybridge 72.0 mm, Kinloss 7.4 h.)

A strong W'ly/NW'ly flow continued to affect N areas of the British Isles on the 21st. Strong winds and areas of rain were widespread overnight, giving way generally to a bright, chilly and blustery day with occasional showers, some heavy; there was thunder in a few places. (Hurn 18.3C, Lerwick 9.8C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch 2.9C minimum, Shap 38.2 mm, Brize Norton 9.8 h.)

A frontal wave with areas of low pressure affected S areas on the 22nd. Showery outbreaks of rain affected N Scotland in a brisk NW'ly airflow during the night and throughout the day. During the day rain fell across S Ireland, much of Wales, the Midlands and S England as pressure remained low close to the English Channel. It was dull across most of England, Wales and S Ireland - and also cool here with daytime maximum temperatures no higher than 12C in many places. (Camborne 17.5C, Pennerley 8.6C maximum, Aboyne 1.9C minimum, North Wyke 27.6 mm, Leuchars 9.4 h.)

Pressure rose from the W during the 23rd the low pressure wave in the S moved away E'wards. By 2400 GMT MSL pressure was close to 1038 mb in SW Ireland. In the N overnight rain was showery and largely confined to N Scotland while rain across S England overnight gradually slowly moved E'wards, with some heavier falls in SE and Cent S England during the day. The best of the sunshine was to be found in S Scotland and across Ireland; overnight clear skies had led to an air frost in parts of E and S Scotland while the day was mainly cool away from the Channel Islands. Sunny skies spread to most areas during the day but it remained showery over East Anglia. (Jersey Airport 17.5C, Lerwick 9.0C maximum, Braemar -2.2C minimum, Manston 17.2 mm, Cork Airport 10.7 h.)

At 0600 GMT on the 24th air pressure was unusually high for September, with a centre at 1040 mb over SW Ireland. Hourly reports before 1200 GMT included 1041.3 mb at Sherkin Island, Cork and Roches Point. Overnight it was generally cool with patchy air frost - as far S as the Chilterns - and a widespread inland air frost. Rainfall was largely confined to N Scotland, the result of troughs overnight and a front later in the day. It was a sunny day in S areas of Ireland, Wales and England - and in E England. (Pershore 17.0C, Dalwhinnie 10.9C maximum, Katesbridge -2.9C minimum, Kinlochewe 12.4 mm, Shoeburyness 11.5 h.)

Pressure remained high over S England on the 25th but frontal systems crossed Ireland and Scotland during the day. There was some overnight rain across N Scotland - and around dawn in W Ireland. Elsewhere, parts of Wales and Cent S England had an air frost while a ground frost was widespread in inland areas of E Ireland, S Scotland, Wales and England. It was the coldest September night for at least 39 years in parts of SE England; 0.8C at Reading University was the lowest September air temperature since 30 September 1969 when 0.8C was also recorded. Rain fell across Scotland (where it was cold and blustery) and Ireland during the day but it remained very sunny across S Wales and much of England. (Kew Gardens 18.5C, Dalwhinnie 11.6C maximum, South Newington -1.3C minimum, Tyndrum 17.4 mm, Jersey Airport 11.5 h.)

High pressure persisted over the S half of the UK - close to 1033 mb over S England at 1200 GMT - on the 26th, while frontal rainbands became slow-moving across Scotland. It was a cool night over S England with a ground frosts here in places - elsewhere minimum air temperatures overnight were widely above 12C (15.0C at Kinloss). Overnight rain fell as far S as N Ireland, N Wales and NW England but during the day was largely confined to Scotland as the rain areas drifted slowly N'wards. S England and East Anglia were, again, very sunny with temperatures rising to 23C in and around Lincolnshire. (Donna Nook 23.6C, Lerwick 11.6C maximum, Hurn 1.5C minimum, Cluanie Inn 35.6 mm, Camborne 11.7 h.)

During the 27th a cold fronts pushed S'wards across Scotland, Ireland and N England. Overnight rain was largely confined to N Scotland with some heavy falls on Shetland. The day dawned after a warm night near the English-Scottish border with overnight minimum temperatures here above 15C in places (16.2C at Boulmer) while many areas of S England had an early ground frost under clear, anticyclonic skies. By the evening the rain in Scotland had spread as far S as Cent Ireland and N England. It was a sunny day in S Wales, the S Midlands, S England and East Anglia - and it was a warm day in many parts of E, Cent and S England as a result. However, it became chilly in N areas after the mild start. (Coningsby 24.5C, Loch Glascarnoch 8.9C maximum, Exeter Airport 0.7C minimum, Achnagart 31.6 mm, Lyneham 11.6 h.)

Pressure was high everywhere on the 28th - close to 1036 mb in W Ireland - as a cold front pushed S'wards, weakening all the time. The front produced little rain - although there were also some overnight showers in N Scotland. Parts of N Ireland, N England and S Scotland had a touch of air frost; away from N Scotland, many inland areas as far S as the Midlands had a ground frost. There was little rain during the day apart from a few showers across N Scotland. It was sunny in Wales and S Ireland with varying amounts of cloud and sunshine elsewhere. (Gosport Fleetlands 18.5C, Dalwhinnie 9.8C maximum, Katesbridge -1.6C minimum, Baltasound 4.2 mm, Aberdaron 10.9 h.)

A further cold front moved S'wards across N Scotland and N Ireland during the 29th while high pressure persisted in all areas. Overnight rain across Shetland spread into N Scotland during the day - with slight falls in N Ireland. There was an air frost in N and Cent England, and in parts of Ireland and Wales; in E Scotland and across Ireland, Wales and England there was a widespread inland ground frost. It was a sunny day across most of England, Wales and S Ireland. (St James Park 18.7C, Salsburgh 9.7C maximum, Katesbridge -3.6C minimum, Cluanie Inn 21.2 mm, Wellesbourne 11.0 h.)

The cold front gradually moved SE'wards on the 30th clearing the SE corner of England after midday. It gave little rain as it moved across England, especially in the S. Ahead of the front, under clearer skies, there was an air frost in E, Cent and S England while in the cloudier areas under the front minimum temperatures were closer to 10C. During the day it was cold, blustery and showery in the north, especially over N Scotland, with hail in places - and snow at the highest levels. There were sunny spells, particularly in E Scotland. After a sunny start in the south, most of England and Wales was cloudy and chilly with a few showers or patches of light rain, chiefly in N and W areas. (Langdon Bay 16.3C, Dalwhinnie 8.7C maximum, Santon Downham -0.9C minimum, Loch Glascarnoch 15.6 mm, Leuchars 7.4 h.)

High pressure dominated the weather on the 1st; overnight there were a few falls of rain from weakening fronts in several areas while some places in NE England, SE Scotland and around the Chilterns had a slight air frost under clear skies. During the day, there were some showers near eastern coasts; away from Scotland and NW Ireland here were ong spells of sunshine in most areas. However, frontal cloud spread rain into N and W areas of the British Isles. (Swanage 16.7C, Lerwick 7.4C maximum, Shap -2.1C minimum, Dunstaffnage 20.0 mm, Manston 9.2 h.)

Despite pressure remaining high on the 2nd (1028 mb in SW Ireland a 1200 GMT) frontal cloud and rain spread across all areas from the NW overnight and during the day. It was sunny across Scotland behind, and in E England ahead of, the frontal rain. Rainfall amounts were generally slight across England. It turned cold in the N and W, but was warm in Cent S, SE and E England ahead of the fronts. (Swanage 21.1C ( suspect), Baltasound 9.4C maximum, Baltasound 5.1C minimum, Baltasound 15.2 mm, Leuchars 9.2 h.)

High pressure continued to prevail on the 3rd. There was some rain across Scotland overnight and during the day, leading to a dull day here. Ireland and N England were also dull with lesser falls of rain. There was a misty start to the day across S and Cent England with fog patches in places - but it gradually became sunny (and warm) across S England. (Exeter Airport 21.1C, Lerwick 9.1C maximum, Tulloch Bridge 2.6C minimum, Kirkwall 12.6 mm, Filton 10.4 h.)

Pressure fell slowly on the 4th. Cent, S and E England had widespread mist and fog around dawn - and this then lifted into low cloud that gave a dull day over Cent S England and NW Wales. There was rain overnight across parts of Scotland and N England - a band of frontal rain moved slowly SE'wards across Scotland into Ireland and N England during the day. The Channel Islands, SE Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia became sunny and warm. (Monks Wood 21.3C, Stornoway 10.6C maximum, East Malling 5.1C minimum, Resallach 21.6 mm, Wattisham 9.9 h.)

A cold front moved slowly SE'wards on the 5th, giving cloud and outbreaks of rain edged across Ireland, Wales and N England that spread later into S Wales and the Midlands. There was an early air frost in parts of E and Cent Scotland - but it was milder overnight further S. East Anglia and S England had some sunshine during the day, once misty conditions across much of E, S and cent England had cleared. Scotland, N and W Ireland also had a bright, sunny day - but there were showers and outbreaks of rain at times in N and W Scotland. It was a cold day in parts of NE England but temperatures reached 20C in the Channel Islands and SE England. (Kew Gardens 22.6C, Loftus 8.5C maximum, Aboyne -2.0C minimum, Shap 17.6 mm, Jersey Airport 10.6 h.)

The 6th dawned with an air frost across Cent and E Scotland under a ridge of high pressure, but with rain from SW England, across Wales and the Midlands into NE England. Much of England SE of a line Hull-Plymouth remained cloudy (after early mist and fog) during the day as the rain spread SE'wards. Sunnier conditions spread from N Scotland into N England and to much of Ireland - although there were showery outbreaks in N Scotland. Most places had a cold day. By late evening the rain area across England was confined to counties to the SE of London. (Helens Bay 14.9C, High Wycombe 7.5C maximum, Braemar -2.8C minimum, Bridlington 19.6 mm, Thomastown 9.4 h.)

While pressure remained high in S areas on the 7th, fronts crossed E'wards across much of Scotland and Ireland.
A few inland areas from E Scotland to S Wales and the S Midlands had a slight air frost at first with grass minimum temperatures falling below 0C in many inland areas. Some rain cleared the extreme SE of England overnight and a sunny day followed here - and also in E and S England. Scotland and Ireland were mainly dull during the day; overnight rain in W Scotland soon extended across much of Ireland and Scotland during the morning. It was mostly quite cold, except locally in SE England and NE Scotland. (Langdon Bay 16.5C, Fylingdales 9.8C maximum, Aboyne -4.3C minimum, Achnagart 69.6 mm, Guernsey Airport 9.3.h )

Despite high pressure in S areas on the 8th, the day was rather cloudy in all areas with the exception of a few parts of East Anglia and SE England. A front gave rain overnight to Scotland and N Ireland, with a few slight falls in parts of N England, Wales and S Ireland. The cloud cover meant a mainly mild night in all areas with minimum temperatures overnight remaining above 13C in parts of S Ireland - but it was cool overnight in parts of Cent S and SE England and East Anglia. Rainfall continued across Scotland and N Ireland during the day - with some falls in S Ireland, Wales and N England. There was a report of 89 mm of rain falling in 36 hours in the period ending 0900 GMT/9th. (Coningsby 18.4C, Lerwick 11.0C maximum, Frittenden 1.4C minimum, Achnagart 49.2 mm, Jersey Airport 9.5 h.)

Overnight into the 9th there frontal rain fell mainly across Scotland and N Ireland, while in S England a few patches of fog formed by dawn. In many areas minimum temperatures remained above 10C - and above 14C in some coastal districts of S Ireland and on the Isle of Wight. Much of E Ireland, Cent and S England and Wales had a sunny day, while rain continued to affect Scotland (notably some W areas) and N Ireland. Away from the wet areas it was a mild day with 20C reached in many places S of a line Bristol-The Wash. The SW'ly surface airflow was brisk across Scotland. (St James Park 21.8C, Resallach 10.6C maximum, Hurn 3.9C minimum, Achnagart 117.0 mm, Wellesbourne 10.5 h.)

Mist and fog was widespread by dawn on the 10th across much of England and Wales while overnight rainfall was mainly confined to W Ireland. During the day the rain area continued to move away N'wards, introducing a warm S'ly flow to all areas. It was a sunny day in all areas - albeit with cloudy spells in parts of W Ireland and W Scotland and a warm day resulted with 20C being reached as far as parts of NW Scotland. A N'ward-moving system brought some rain to S Ireland and SW England in the evening. (Northolt 24.6C, Fair Isle 14.3C maximum, South Newington 3.0C minimum, Stornoway 9.4 mm, Lyneham 10.3 h.)

Low pressure to the west led to a brisk S'ly flow in most places during the 11th, although a cold front moved E'wards across towards E Britain, introducing cooler air. The da dawned after a mild night with overnight minimum temperatures above 15C in parts of S England, Northern Ireland and W Scotland. However, most places were cloudy during the day as rain spread NE'wards; only in parts of E England did the sunshine persist for any length of time. Ahead of the cold front it was a warm day following some early mist in parts of E Scotland and N England. Clearer weather spread from the SW across many areas during the afternoon and evening. (Weybourne 22.9C, Lerwick 11.8C maximum, Leeming 7.1C minimum, Pembrey Sands 36.2 mm, Manston 7.5 h.)

Pressure was unusually low to the W of Ireland during the 12th; at 0600 GMT Belmullet was reporting MSL pressure down to 975.7 mb while Mace Head was reporting 979.9 mb after a fall of 10.3 mb in the preceding three hours. The storm, named Callum, gave a gust of 86 mph at Capel Curig and gusts of over 60 mph elsewhere. Frontal rain areas moving E'wards affected all areas except parts of East Anglia and SE England by 2100 GMT. It was a mainly warm and windy day, the warmest conditions being in the E. There were severe gales in the W with heavy rainfall, especially over the Welsh hills. Brighter, showery weather followed the rain from the NW, and there was isolated thunder over W and N Ireland and around the Mull of Kintyre in the morning. The strong winds led to power cuts and travel disruption. The winds coincided with high spring tides leading to large waves overtopping sea walls in many coastal towns across the south and west, leading to some coastal flooding. Flights to and from Newquay airport in Cornwall have been cancelled, while trains have been delayed due to fallen power cables near Plymouth. One of the main routes through Devon, the A38, was closed for a number of hours after cables came down near Ivybridge. More than 900 homes in Lisburn were without electricity after Storm Callum brought strong winds overnight. Almost 150 homes in the Lurgan and Ballinamallard areas were also without power. (Cavendish 23.1C, Lerwick 12.2C maximum, Altnaharra 2.1C minimum, Libanus 138.6 mm, Wattisham 5.5 h.)

Slow-moving fronts continued to produced copious amounts of rainfall in many upland areas of Ireland W and N Britain on the 13th. Elsewhere showery outbreaks in the southeast at first gave way to a fairly sunny and warm day day, despite continuing blustery winds. Temperatures remained above 20C in many parts of E England at 2100 GMT, from North Yorkshire S'wards; at London City Airport the temperature was 23C then. This followed overnight minima in excess of 15C SE of a line Scilly-Cardiff-Tyneside; there were record-breaking overnight minima for mid-October of 18-19C over London, East Anglia and Lincolnshire (18.9C Coningsby, 18.8C Andrewsfield). Some of the warmest places by day also appear to have had the highest temperatures recorded so late in the year in UK records. At Reading University 22.7C was reached - such a high value had only previously been reached so late in the year during the previous century on 18.10.1921 (23.8C), 13.10.2001 (23.0C) and 13.10.1990 (22.8C). A man died after a landslide in south Wales during Storm Callum on the A484 at Cwmduad. Flood damage has caused a huge hole to open up in a railway track, causing disruption for passengers. The hole appeared under the tracks after high tides engulfed the line at Teignmouth in Devon. Two days of heavy rain from Storm Callum have led rivers and canals to burst their banks across south Wales. One village in Neath Port Talbot was put on evacuation alert overnight. Many rivers burst their banks in Wales during Storm Callum, prompting Natural Resources Wales to pledge a review of flood defences. Nine boats sank at Aberaeron harbour due to the "tide and river fighting against each other". About 70 sheep are thought to have died after being "washed away" due to flooding at Pontargothi. Carmarthen was a no-go area on Saturday night as the River Towy reached critical levels after breaching its flood defences, while the River Teifi reached record levels - more than 15 ft on Saturday - which flooded towns like Newcastle Emlyn and Lampeter. More heavy rain fell in parts of Scotland on Saturday, leading to warnings that flooding was imminent in some areas. Severe weather affected services between Preston and Scotland and strong winds saw speed restrictions imposed on many routes - with reduced Virgin services between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, and Edinburgh and Glasgow, Network Rail said. SP Energy Networks issued advice on power cuts and forecasters said transport disruption was likely. (Donna Nook 26.5C, Dalwhinnie 9.2C maximum, Drumnadrochit 6.5C minimum, Shap 72.4 mm, Weybourne 6.5 h.)

Areas of frontal rain, heavy and prolonged in places, moved E'wards across England and Wales on the 14th. Ahead of the rain it was very warm overnight in East Anglia and parts of SE England, remaining above 16C in places. Scotland and Ireland were largely dry after overnight rain cleared and it turned particularly sunny across Ireland and W Scotland. There was thunder over the Channel Islands and off the Isle of Wight during the early hours, and a couple of sferics in the Dorking area around 0515 GMT, with a sferic in the Maidstone area later. The brighter conditions extended into Wales and W England later, although it remained cool after the rain cleared. (Manston 20.9C, Fylingdales 8.4C maximum, Castlederg 1.5C minimum, Reading University 36.2 mm, Thomastown 8.7 h.)

Despite a shallow area of high pressure over the British Isles on the 15th, for much of the day the Midlands, East Anglia and SE England remained under the influence of a low centred over the nearby continent. It was quite sunny over most of Scotland and Ireland, and for a time over parts of N England, N and W Wales; this followed an early air frost in parts of E and SE Scotland. W Scotland had a little rain at times. Places to the SE of London remained mainly dry and rather misty - and it became foggy late in the day on some of the higher ground around London. In parts of the Midlands the temperature struggled to rise much above 10C. (Herstmonceux 20.1C, Pennerley 8.5C maximum, Aboyne -1.8C minimum, Hampton Water Works 30.8 mm, Thomastown 9.7 h.)

Much of England and Wales, S of York, had patches of mist or fog by dawn on the 16th, while rain was spreading from the W across W areas of Ireland and Scotland. It was a sunny day in parts of E England but advancing cloud from the W affected other areas - even though the associated rainfall amounts were small. It was a warm day in these sunny, E areas. Clearer weather soon spread into Ireland and Scotland but it remained showery in NW Scotland; in the evening it turned misty in parts of E England. (Santon Downham 21.4C, Dalwhinnie 10.3C maximum, Eskdalemuir 0.0C minimum, Achnagart 9.2 mm, Shoeburyness 8.7 h.)

Much of Scotland, Ireland, N Wales and parts of N England, along with Kent, were bright and sunny on the 17th, once light overnight rain in Ireland and W Scotland had cleared. Parts of England and Wales had a misty start to the day and, away from these parts of N England and Kent, most of England and Wales was mostly dull with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. This rain slowly moved E'wards during the day; by late evening there was mist in parts of E England while most places were dry as high pressure built from the W. (Herstmonceux 19.5C, Dalwhinnie 9.6C maximum, Aboyne 1.1C minimum, Achnagart 7.4 mm, Aldergrove 8.0 h.)

The 18th was a mainly dry day as high pressure settled over the British Isles (centre 1029 mb in E England by 1200 GMT). There were scattered patches of mist and fog in many areas by dawn with a touch of air frost in parts of Cent Scotland and Ireland. It was a rather cloudy day across Scotland but sunny elsewhere. (St Catherines Point 17.4C, Dalwhinnie 8.7C maximum, Katesbridge -4.0C minimum, Lerwick 1.4 mm, Morecambe 9.9 h.)

Many parts of England and Wales had early mist or fog on the 19th which soon cleared under high pressure. Fronts advancing from the W gave some rain across Ireland, Scotland and into NW England during the day, but E and S England had a mainly sunny day. It was locally warm in the sunnier areas. (Plymouth 18.0C, Eskdalemuir 10.0C maximum, Ravensworth -2.5C minimum, Achnagart 11.4 mm, Waddington 8.9 h.)

Pressure remained high in S areas on the 20th (centred in Devon at 1200 GMT at 1032 mb), leading to a largely dry day. It was mild overnight in the Channel Islands and in Ireland; fronts in W areas of the British Isles gave some rain across Ireland and in parts of Scotland overnight and during the day. Many places in England and Wales, and a few in N and W Ireland, had some early mist and fog - this soon cleared to give sunny spells in E Scotland, across England (except in the NW) and in parts of E Ireland. Parts of NE Scotland were quite warm. (Fyvie Castle 20.4C, Spadeadam 11.9C maximum, Fyvie Castle 0.3C minimum, Dunstaffnage 10.2 mm, East Malling 9.5 h.)

Fronts pushed SE'wards across Scotland and Ireland during the 21st, leading to outbreaks of rain across Scotland, Ireland and later in NW England and Wales. In E Ireland, and in the drier areas of England and Wales overnight there were widespread mist and fog patches - these soon cleared to give a mainly sunny day SE of a line Scilly-The Wash. However, the rain reached East Anglia and Cent S England by mid-evening. It was warm in the sunny areas after a cool start here. Behind the rain in W Ireland overnight minimum temperatures had stayed above 14C in places but then rose little during the day. (Cavendish 20.5C, Resallach 9.3C maximum, South Newington 3.0C minimum, Achnagart 25.4 mm, Guernsey Airport 10.0 h.)

High pressure rose over the British Isles from the SW on the 22nd (MSL pressure was close to 1044 mb in SW Ireland at 1200 GMT). Light rain cleared SE'wards from Kent in the early hours of the day with many areas away from N and W Scotland, and S England, having an overnight ground frost in places. Overnight rain in NW Scotland spread towards the Northern Isles during the day - with some heavy falls here during the day. Away from the N half of Scotland it was a sunny day - especially in S England. (Plymouth 15.2C, Salsburgh 9.3C maximum, Katesbridge -2.0C minimum, Baltasound 23.2 mm, Exeter Airport 9.5 h.)

MSL Pressure remained above 1020 mb in most areas on the 23rd, but it was a cloudy day across much of Scotland (away from the SE) due to frontal systems that gave some heavy rain across N Scotland overnight - with further outbreaks here and in W Scotland during the day. The cloudy skies and W'ly flow resulted in a mild night in much of Scotland at first (minimum temperatures overnight remained above 11C in places), while a few places in Cent, S and E England had a touch of ground frost. During the day there was patchy cloud away from Scotland, but most of these places had some sunny spells. (Inverbervie 17.8C, Baltasound 9.5C minimum, South Newington 0.5C minimum, Resallach 70.8 mm, Boulmer 7.9 h.)

Pressure remained high on the 24th but rather cloudy skies meant an absence of air frost at low levels. There was a little rain in parts of N and W Scotland during the day which later fed into N Ireland. Patchy cloud meant that the best of the sunshine was confined to Cent and S areas of England. It was a mild day in SE and Cent S England. (Gosport Fleetlands 19.7C, Altnahinch Filters 9.4C maximum, Pembrey Sands 2.8C minimum, Resallach 16.6 mm, Jersey Airport 9.2 h.)

By 1800 GMT on the 25th a shallow area of low pressure was located close to Inverness while pressure remained high across S England. Overnight there was light, patchy rain in N and W Scotland, N Ireland and in parts of NW England. This spread a little further S into S Ireland and N Wales by late evening - and away from East Anglia and some other counties on the E side of England it was a rather cloudy day. Away from the sunny districts, daytime temperatures often failed to reach 14C. (Bridlington 16.9C, Baltasound 7.5C maximum, Hurn -0.7C minimum, Resallach 23.6 mm, Leconfield 7.9 h.)

A N'ly flow became established in all areas on the 26th. S areas of England and Ireland had a relatively mild night under cloudy skies ahead of areas of rain that spread S'wards overnight and during the day. In most places rainfall totals were slight, while across N Scotland the rain turned to snow in the late afternoon and evening with the temperature falling to close to 0C in much of inland Scotland by late evening. In the clearer air following the early rainfall it was a sunny day in S Scotland and in much of Ireland. There was isolated thunder, mainly around the Wirral and over Merseyside and Lleyn peninsulas - but also in Surrey. (Swanage 12.8C, Balmoral 5.0C maximum, Tyndrum 0.4C minimum, Fyvie Castle 24.8 mm, Shannon Airport 8.4 h.)

During the 27th, as the N'ly flow slowly turned more to the NE, falls of snow continued to affect N Scotland and in areas as far S as the N Midlands and Norfolk. A high pressure ridge built during the day from Ireland to Scandinavia and showers became more confined to places to the S facing the North Sea - e.g. East Anglia. Many inland areas in Scotland, N and Cent Ireland and some parts of N England and Wales had an early air frost; a cool day then followed in all areas with showery falls in the E half of the UK. Most places had sunny spells - but it felt cool everywhere. (Langdon Bay 10.4C, Dalwhinnie 3.0C maximum, Sennybridge -3.3C minimum, Cromer 17.8 mm, Prestwick 8.8 h.)

High pressure over N areas and a NE'ly wind further S led to another cool day on the 28th. Inland areas of Scotland and N and Cent Ireland saw a widespread air frost before dawn - while rain and showers fell across East Anglia and parts of E England overnight; there were also a few falls of rain in E Scotland. Further outbreaks of rain fell in the E half of England and in E areas of Scotland during the day with hail showers in places. Most places saw some spells of sunshine during the day. (Glasgow 11.4C, Lentran 3.6C maximum, Gogerddan -3.8C minimum, Manston 19.4 mm, Aberdaron 8.9 h.)

A flow originating to the E of the British Isles affected all areas on the 29th. Air frost was widespread overnight away from SW England and W Ireland and there were some light falls of rain in E England overnight. Further light falls of rain occurred during the day in some areas adjacent to the North Sea - and there were also some heavier falls in parts of W Ireland and W Scotland; some hail fell in N Scotland. Away from the cloudy areas of W Ireland and SW Scotland there were widespread sunny periods. Away from S England and East Anglia most places failed to reach 8C during the day. (Langdon Bay 10.7C, Balmoral 3.3C maximum, Katesbridge -5.9C minimum, Port Ellen 11.2 mm, Exeter Airport 9.1 h.)

SW parts of Britain had a mainly sunny day on the 30th while elsewhere it was rather cloudy at times. Cloud and precipitation pushed N'wards in E England with some wintry falls in places as far W as Birmingham and Hampshire. The showers were also wintry on hilly ground. Clear skies spread from the southwest in the evening. There was an unusually sharp air frost in many places before dawn, although the cloudier SE corner of England and also W Ireland remained above 0C overnight. This was followed by a cold day in most areas away from SW England and W Ireland with maximum temperatures widely below 10C. (Isles of Scilly 11.7C, Balmoral 4.2C maximum, Shap -7.3C minimum, Manston 9.2 mm, St Athan 8.8 h.)

At inland sites away from Ireland and W Scotland there was a widespread air frost on the 31st - with minimum temperatures below -5C in some sheltered sites overnight. The frost-free areas in the W had greater cloud cover and some outbreaks of rain; rain also moved NW'wards into SE England in the evening. The day remained cold in many areas N of York and Dublin under cloudy skies, but reached 13C in many S parts of the British Isles. (Isle of Portland 14.5C, Altnahinch Filters 5.7C maximum, Aboyne -6.5C minimum, St Bees Head 23.4 mm, Waddington 7.9 h.)

Frontal rain moved E'wards on the 1st, clearing from the W to leave much of Ireland and W Britain with a sunny day. Scotland and much of N England also had a sunny day, but it remained and damp across much of East Anglia, SE and Cent England during the day. Following an early clearance of the rain there was some air frost in W Scotland and in some areas of Ireland before dawn - and a mainly cool day followed in all areas in a NW'ly wind. (Shoreham 14.7C, Balmoral 5.7C maximum, Altnaharra -4.7C minimum, Wattisham 20.0 mm, Casement Aerodrome 8.7 h.)

A ridge of high pressure on the 2nd led to a widespread air frost early in the day, although temperatures remained above freezing point in many parts of W Scotland, W Ireland and in cloudier parts of SE England and East Anglia. Away from W Ireland most areas saw some sunshine during the day - with E areas being the sunniest. Cloud and rain moved across W and N areas - affecting much of Ireland, Scotland and parts of NW England and Wales by mid-evening. Winds increased in W areas later due to a deep depression to the W of Ireland and it was a cool day in the wetter areas. (Isles of Scilly 13.4C, Killylane 6.3C maximum, Katesbridge -6.2C minimum, Magilligan 13.6 mm, East Malling 9.1 h.)

A deep area of low pressure to the W of the British Isles on the 3rd made for a windy day in W areas. Under high pressure parts of East Anglia and Cent S England had a slight air frost before dawn as overnight rain affected Ireland, Scotland and parts of wales and N England. During the day the rain made only slight progress E'wards with some falls in SW England and the West Midlands later in the day. It was a mild day in N areas with 17C reached in parts of N Scotland. (Lossiemouth 17.9C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park 9.8C maximum, Santon Downham -1.8C minimum, Achnagart 62.2 mm, Guernsey Airport 8.2 h.)

The winds eased during the 4th in W areas. Much of Ireland, Scotland and parts of N England had spells of sun shine during the day, although further S there were falls of rain. These falls were heaviest across parts of SW England - associated with a wave depression to the W of Brittany in the evening. Temperatures reached 15C in parts of S Wales and SW England - but were generally lower elsewhere. (Chivenor 15.8C, Dalwhinnie 9.1C maximum, Frittenden 3.8C minimum, Cardinham 21.4 mm, Magilligan 6.0 h.)

A mild S'ly airflow affected much of the British Isles on the 5th, although frontal cloud and precipitation kept W areas, including Ireland, closer to or slightly below normal, temperature-wise. Minimum temperatures overnight in parts of S Wales and S England remained above 10C, and during the day sunshine was largely confined to areas SE of a line The Wash-Dorset. A large area of rain across Ireland overnight gradually moved into Scotland and became less widespread and lighter as the day developed. (Otterbourne Water Works 18.3C, Loch Glascarnoch 7.5C maximum, Tyndrum 3.4C minimum, Killowen 12.0 mm, Manston 5.8 h.)

Much of England and SE Scotland had patches of fog overnight into the 6th with fog and/or cloud giving a mainly mild night in all areas. Rain across Scotland at first gradually moved away NE'wards but by midday another area of frontal rain had spread E'wards across much of Ireland - reaching Wales and other parts of W Britain by the evening. The day was mainly cloudy but mild, wildly reaching 15C over the S half of England. It was quite windy in the west and north. (Manston 17.2C, Lerwick 9.8C maximum, Braemar 2.0C minimum, Scolton Country Park 20.2 mm, Guernsey Airport 5.3 h.)

Fronts pushed rain and showers NE'wards across the British Isles on the 7th as a shallow low centre moved N'wards across Ireland and sea areas to the W of Scotland. Overnight minimum temperatures remained above 10C across England, Wales and in Cent and E Scotland - while in cooler air during the day temperatures failed to reach 10C across much of Ireland. However, the best of the sunshine following the main rain areas was to be found later in S Ireland. (Myerscough 15.1C, Banagher Caugh Hill 8.1C maximum, Shannon Airport 3.1C, Ballypatrick Forest 40.0 mm, Cork Airport 3.6 h.)

Low pressure to the west of Ireland maintained a S'ly airflow with spells of rain on the 8th. Many parts of Scotland, and a few sites elsewhere, had a touch of ground frost before dawn. The heaviest and more persistent tended to be confined to areas away from E England - and it was a dull day from SW Scotland to S Ireland and in Wales and W England. Elsewhere there were spells of sunshine, especially in E England, East Anglia and in Cent S and SE England. Theses sunnier areas were quite mild for the time of year. (Kew Gardens 14.9C, Dalwhinnie 6.8C maximum, Altnaharra -2.3C minimum, Scolton Country Park 45.6 mm, Manston 7.9 h.)

Pressure fell during the 9th, especially in Ireland and W parts of Britain. By 1800 GMT MSL pressure at Belmullet had fallen to 972.3 mb - with the result that during the day it became quite windy in W areas. It was a mainly cloudy day (except in parts of East Anglia and Kent) with showers and then rain - the latter moved NE'wards from the W later in the day with falls in E Britain by mid-evening. More than 1,000 properties were left without power during heavy rain and wind which brought flooding and travel disruption. Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire saw the worst of the weather with some homes in Milford Haven under 3 m of water. A number of roads were flooded including parts of the A40 which flooded between Fishguard and Scleddau, and Llanddewi Velfrey and Penblewin. Taxis replaced trains between Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while Traffic Wales reported people were evacuated from Lower Priory due to most roads being flooded. Network Rail has advised train operators Crosscountry and Great Western Railway the sea wall at Dawlish was not passable due to track damage; as a result train services were not operating between Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids. (Kew Gardens 14.5C, Dalwhinnie 7.9C maximum, Santon Downham 0.6C minimum, Logan Botanic Garden 43.2 mm, Weybourne 5.4 h.)

Winds eased slowly during the 10th as the low centre close to Ireland moved slowly NW'wards. The main frontal rainband that gave a spell of wet weather overnight had cleared E Britain by dawn and a day of sunshine and showers then followed in many areas. It did, however, remain largely cloudy in Wales, W England and in many parts of W Scotland. In places the showers merged into bands of heavy rain with thunder locally in S England. After a mild night in N Scotland and in parts of S England, it was a mild day in E and SE England. (Kew Gardens 15.8C, Altnahinch Filters 7.0C maximum, Topcliffe 2.9C minimum, Goudhurst 40.6 mm, Magilligan 6.4 h.)

A S'ly flow across much of the British Isles around a low centre to the W of Ireland was maintained on the 11th. An area of rain moved NE'wards from SW Ireland to NE Scotland during the day. Away from this rain area there were showers and sunny periods - although Scotland (ahead of the rain) and W Ireland remained rather cloudy. The showers turned heavy (and thundery in a few places) in SE England at first, and later thundery in the W (including on the Isle of Man). In clearer skies overnight there was a slight air frost in parts of N Scotland at first while daytime temperatures tended to be above normal in S England. (Wiggonholt 14.6C, Lentran 4.7C maximum, Altnaharra -1.6C minimum, Manston 24.2 mm, Yeovilton 7.3 h.)

Overnight into the 12th there was a slight air frost in parts of N Scotland while minimum temperatures overnight remained above 10C in parts of S Wales and S England. A day with widespread showers followed, with hail in places and thunder across parts of S England and as far N as Anglesey. W Scotland, NW England and N Ireland were rather dull - elsewhere there were sunny periods with temperatures rising above 14C in parts of East Anglia and Cent S England in a S'ly airflow. (Odiham 15.7C, Cassley 7.3C maximum, Loch Glascarnoch -0.3C minimum, Tyndrum 36.0 mm, Leconfield 7.2 h.)

The showers faded away slowly on the 13th as a weak ridge developed in S areas. However, later in the day further frontal rain spread across Ireland and into W Britain. Cloudy skies mean that an early air frost was largely confined to parts of N Scotland while most places had some sunshine during the day; however, much of Ireland remained rather cloudy ahead of the advancing rain. Parts of S England had a mild day. (Hurn 15.0C, Kielder Castle 8.9C maximum, Tain Range -0.8C minimum, Shap 13.2 mm, Tibenham Airfield 7.8 h.)

Fronts spread rain NE'wards across most areas on the 14th, introducing more warm air from the S. Overnight minimum temperatures remained above 10C in many areas - including in parts of N Scotland - and then reached 14-15C in many areas during the day. Scotland, Ireland, N wales and N England were generally dull and, as a low pressure area deepened to the W of Scotland during the day, it turned windy in N and W areas. (Kinlochewe 16.8C, Baltasound 10.8C maximum, Fyvie Castle 4.9C minimum, Eskdalemuir 34.0 mm, Bude 6.7 h.)

Pressure remained low on the 15th to the W of Scotland - with much of the British Isles lying under a warm sector until later in the day when a cold front across Ireland began to push E'wards. Overnight, rain was mainly confined to Ireland and W Scotland with minimum temperatures remaining above 11C in many areas. As the cold front pushed E'wards later the associated rainfall was mainly across Scotland. Early in the day there was some mist and fog in S and E areas of England - before temperatures rose to 15C in places ahead of the cold front. Away from W Scotland and W Ireland there was some sunshine during the day - but it remained dull in parts of the SE corner of England. (Kinlochewe 17.6C, Fylingdales 9.8C maximum, Shobdon 0.1C minimum, Achnagart 20.2 mm, Aberporth 7.2 h.)

A S'ly airflow persisted on the 16th, but tended to turn more SE'ly later in the day. Many places away from N and Cent Scotland had some early mist and fog and much of England and Wales had a mild night. England and much of Wales, Ireland and S Scotland had a rather dull day with some light rain or drizzle in parts of S and E England. It remained misty across much of England during the day. By 2400 GMT MSL pressure had risen to 1028 mb in E Scotland and parts of E England. (Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 15.5C, Lentran 8.3C maximum, Aboyne -1.5C minimum, Threave 2.8 mm, Altnaharra 5.6 h.)

Winds continued to turn more SE'ly during the 17th as pressure rose in E Britain. Parts of N and E Scotland had a slight frost early in the day and there was early mist and a few fog patches over England, Wales and Ireland. It remained misty/hazy in several places during the day - and this helped produce a few spots of rain or drizzle in places. However, most places had sunny periods during the day, notable exceptions being across Ireland and the Northern Isles. Daytime maximum temperatures tended to be higher in W areas of the British Isles. (Aultbea 14.3C, Lake Vyrnwy 6.3C maximum, Braemar -2.0C minimum, Ballypatrick Forest 2.2 mm, Valley 7.9 h.)

A flow from the SE was maintained across the British Isles on the 18th, as MSL pressure rose to 1037.3 mb at Baltasound by 1200 GMT. Many parts of S and E Scotland had mist before dawn, and in the cold air this led to a few falls of snow grains in places. Parts of E and N Scotland, and a few places in N England, had an early air frost. A mainly sunny day followed in most areas - with some places close to the North Sea coast, and in the Northern Isles, remaining cloudy. It was mild in some W areas. (St Bees Head 15.5C, Lentran 3.2C maximum, Braemar -5.6C minimum, Lake Vyrnwy 0.8 mm, Guernsey Airport 8.3 h.)

The high pressure-generated E/SE'ly flow continued on the 19th, although it was cloudy in many areas with a few bands of showers. Ground frost was quite widespread overnight and a few areas of Scotland and N England had a touch of air frost. Showers were mainly confined to E areas of the UK and Ireland. With little sunshine, the day felt cold. (Ronaldsway 10.8C, Lentran 3.7C maximum, Aviemore -6.4C minimum, Manston 5.4 mm, Jersey Airport 6.7 h.)

The surface flow was more E'ly on the 20th, with showers again affecting many E areas. The showers turned to snow in places as far S as Cumbria, the Midlands and Wiltshire. It was cloudy across much of England and Wales with sunny periods elsewhere. It was windy in N areas - with almost no air frost in N Scotland as a result of this and the cloudier skies. (Belmullet 9.1C, Pennerley 2.9C maximum, Kinloss -0.2C minimum, Hull East Park 17.2 mm, Connaught Airport 6.4 h.)

Parts of S England had an air frost into the 21st, following the clearance of some rain. This rain was part of a large area of rain that moved slowly NW'wards across much of the UK and Ireland overnight, continuing across Ireland and Scotland during the day. The rain was accompanied by thunder near some east-facing coasts, and also in the Channel Islands. The rain was followed by showers in places and these fell as snow locally as far S as the Midlands and Cent S England. Most areas remained cloudy during the day although some sunny periods occurred in parts of S Scotland, East Anglia and S England. (Isles of Scilly 10.1C, Pateley Bridge Ravens Nest 2.7C maximum, Exeter Airport -3.2C minimum, Kielder Castle 25.4 mm, Guernsey Airport 5.5 h.)

There were outbreaks of rain and showers into the 22nd across E Scotland and Ireland in particular, although much of England and SE Scotland was clearer with an air frost. It was also rather misty at first across England, with some fog patches in places. Places W of a line Skye-Sussex (but not in SW Ireland) had some sunshine during the day; but the day brought further rain or drizzle over NE England and Scotland. Mist and fog reformed in the evening across much of England and Wales, with some rain the in SW England. (Isles of Scilly 10.9C, Lake Vyrnwy 2.2C minimum, South Newington -6.7C minimum, Craibstone 14.0 mm, Valley 7.0 h.)

Cloudy conditions on the 23rd resulted in little air frost across the British Isles - and it there was also a misty start to the day across much of Ireland, Wales and England. There was some rain or drizzle in the E and N. SW England was mild with some heavy showers and with some thunder in Devon and Cornwall - elsewhere it was a cool day. (Bude 13.2C, Lake Vyrnwy 3.8C maximum, Mona -2.3C minimum, North Wyke 28.8 mm, Manston 4.4 h.)

Away from high ground in N England and Scotland most places avoided an air frost on the 24th. A shallow area of low pressure persisted to the SW of Scilly during the day resulting in rain across S Britain and S Ireland during the day, with more showery conditions further N, especially across Scotland and NE England. Parts of S Scotland and NW England had some sunshine during the day, otherwise the day was dull and cloudy - with mist in many areas during the morning, the mist returning across England and Ireland in places in the evening. (Guernsey Airport 11.7C, Dalwhinnie 3.6C maximum, Bridgefoot -2.2C minimum, Isle of Portland 38.2 mm, Tiree 5.7 h.)

There were pockets of air frost early on the 25th, mainly in Cent and S Scotland. The day bright sunny periods in W Scotland and W Ireland, but was cloudier in E areas. These E parts were also cold with showers or outbreaks of light rain - and there was also some rain in parts of S England overnight before this rain area moved away to the S. (Guernsey Airport 11.4C, Braemar 3.2C maximum, Resallach -3.9C minimum, High Mowthorpe 13.2 mm, Valley 5.9 h.)

Later on the 26th the E'ly flow began to give way in W Ireland to a milder, S'ly airstream. Parts of E Scotland had a slight air frost at first and there were showers or outbreaks of rain in E areas of the UK overnight and during the day. Light rain spread into W Ireland in the evening. Away from E England and SE Scotland most places had some sunny intervals but it was a cold day everywhere, except in SW parts of Ireland and England. (Isles of Scilly 11.6C, Braemar 2.5C maximum, Shap -5.3C minimum, Morpeth Cockle Park 10.0 mm, Dundrennan 6.5 h.)

Many parts of N and E Scotland, and Cent areas of England away from the coasts and the SW, had an air frost on the 27th. 24 mm of rain fell in Valentia overnight in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT as the rain area spread across most of S Ireland by dawn. There was widespread fog over England and Wales away from the SW, giving a few snow grains in places. The fog took all morning to clear from parts of East Anglia, but some E and N areas were bright for a time, though still with coastal showers. Rain spread steadily NE'wards across most of the UK during the day; some of the rain was heavy and was preceded by some snow over Cumbria. Some sunny spells followed the early rain over Ireland but another area of rain moved in SW Ireland and SW England later in the day. (Bude 12.5C, Spadeadam 4.4C maximum, Aviemore -5.1C minimum, Scolton Country Park 31.8 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 4.0 h.)

A deep low to the SW and later W of Ireland on the 28th pushed bands of rain NE'wards across most areas. After a mild night (overnight minimum temperatures remained above 10C in parts of S England) a warm day followed with temperatures rising to 14C and above in many places. It was windy in the W ad N of the British Isles with MSL pressure falling to 969.3 mb at 1200 GMT at Belmullet. Ferry sailings between the Isle of Man and the UK were cancelled due to severe gales in the Irish Sea. Some flights connecting the Isle of Man and Dublin were also been cancelled due to the poor conditions. Gales caused problems around the Welsh coast and inland, with power supplies affected and travel disruptions. It was a dull day except for parts of NE Scotland. (Rhyl 15.8C, Baltasound 9.0C maximum, Bala 1.8C minimum, Keswick 47.4 mm, Aviemore 1.8 h.)

Rain spread to most areas overnight into the 29th, and this then cleared rapidly during the morning towards the North Sea, but took longer to clear from NE Scotland. Showers and sunny intervals followed from the SW although many areas, particularly across Scotland, remained dull. There was some isolated thunder and it was generally mild - especially in S England - despite the windy conditions that slowly ameliorated during the day. (Leeming 14.8C, Dalwhinnie 6.2C maximum, Killylane 4.8C minimum, Libanus 43.0 mm, Dublin Airport 2.6 h.)

The 30th was a showery day with bands of rain and showers moved from the W to affect many areas - although sites in and around East Anglia remained large dry. The day was mild, especially in S areas. W and Cent Scotland were largely dull but most other places saw some sunny spells between the showers. (Frittenden 12.7C, Killylane 4.8C maximum, Altnahinch Filters 2.9C minimum, Achnagart 52.6 mm, Wellesbourne 6.5 h.)

A mild flow from the SW/S on the 1st meant little early air frost. Overnight rain spread from S Ireland and SW England to much of England, Wales and Ireland by dawn the later crossed many parts of S Scotland. Showers and outbreaks of light rain or drizzle followed the main rain area but it remained cloudy and dull almost everywhere, except in parts of SW Scotland. Further rain pushed into Ireland, SW England and S Wales by mid-evening. It was a very mild day across S England, but across N and Cent Scotland temperatures were closer to normal during the day. (Exeter Airport 15.2C, Dalwhinnie 4.6C maximum, Kielder Castle -0.4C minimum, Liscombe 19.0 mm, Tiree 2.6 h.)

While parts of N and Cent Scotland had an air frost on the 2nd, it was a mild night in S parts of Britain and Ireland with overnight minimum temperatures remaining above 12C in the Channel Islands and parts of SW England as areas of rain spread E'wards over Ireland, Wales and England. Scotland was mainly dry overnight with some fog patches forming in S Scotland later. During the day it was fairly cloudy and showery with some longer spells of rain, especially over N Ireland and S Scotland. (Kew Gardens 15.9C, Aviemore 0.7C maximum, Lossiemouth -3.7C minimum, Threave 20.8 mm, Lerwick 2.9 h.)

Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland had a slight air frost on the b3rd but across S England overnight minimum temperatures were in the range 11-13C in places. Low pressure moved away E'wards from Scotland introducing a N'ly low across much of the British Isles during the day. Showers in the N followed fronts that moved S'wards during the day clearing S Britain by the evening. There was rain on the fronts and it was rather cloudy for much of the day over England and Wales. Further N the showers fell as snow over high ground. (Otterbourne Water Works 14.6C, Balmoral 3.6C maximum, Katesbridge -1.1C minimum, Sennybridge 31.0 mm, Charterhall 6.0 h.)

Many areas away from the coast and SW England had an air frost on the 4th. There were mist and fog patches across England and Wales and some overnight showers on some W-facing coasts. A ridge of high pressure gave sunny spells in most areas ahead of frontal cloud and rain that reached SW England and S Ireland around midday. The rain then spread across S England and into Wales and Cent Ireland by late evening. It was quite cold, except over southern England. (Isles of Scilly 12.6C, Kielder Castle 1.2C maximum, Redesdale Camp -6.2C minimum, Whitechurch 8.8 mm, Kinloss 4.7 h.)

Parts of N England, N Ireland and much of inland Scotland had an air frost on the 5th with some mist in places. Further S widespread rain moved NE'wards overnight, with some falls of sleet or snow on the leading edge or over higher ground. During the day there was rain from S Scotland S'wards, with sunshine to be found only across N Scotland and in SW Ireland. Parts of E Scotland remained below 0C all day, while temperatures of 12-13C occurred in S England and SW Ireland. By late evening there were widespread misty conditions in the rain areas. (Odiham 13.9C, Lentran -1.3C maximum, Braemar -8.8C minimum, Whitechurch 30.2 mm, Altnaharra 3.5 h.)

Air frost was mainly confined to N and E Scotland into the 6th and, with cloudy skies almost everywhere during the day, sunshine was only to be found in E Scotland. After a misty start, frontal cloud and rain affected most areas during the day with only high ground and the Northern Isles remaining below 10C all day. (Hawarden 14.1C, Inverbervie 8.9C maximum, Aviemore -4.1C minimum, Capel Curig 16.0 mm, Dyce 1.9 h.)

Rain fell in most areas overnight, falling from fronts associated with a deepening area of low pressure that moved N'wards to the W and then N of Scotland during the 7th. Under a warm sector overnight minimum temperatures remained above 11C in many areas of England. Colder air followed further falls of rain from the W during the day, the rain turning to snow over the mountains as it turned colder. It was windy in the N as pressure fell below 980 mb in W Scotland. (Gosport Fleetlands 12.6C, Eskdalemuir 5.6C maximum, Fyvie Castle 1.0C minimum, Kinlochewe 56.2 mm, Katesbridge 4.7 h.)

A deep depression, initially over Orkney centred 969 mb at 0000 GMT on the 8th, moved away E'wards during the day. Blustery conditions affected most areas as further low pressure moved later towards NW Ireland. Rainfall was widespread, although less so over N Scotland during the day, with mild conditions in S England and S Ireland. The best of the sunshine was to be found in E Scotland and E England. The was some isolated thunder in the SW later, with some snow in the mountains. (Hereford 13.6C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.0C maximum, Altnaharra 4.0C minimum, Cassley 22.0 mm, Manston 4.6 h.)

Rain and showers overnight steadily cleared S'wards into the 9th. It was a mainly cloudy day across N Scotland and in areas of N Ireland and Wales. Elsewhere, there were some sunny spells, with temperatures reaching 10-11C in S England and S Ireland, before further showers affected W and N areas. It turned cool in many parts of E Britain under clear skies in the evening. (Swanage 12.6C, Dalwhinnie 2.8C maximum, Tyndrum -1.0C minimum, Capel Curig 31.6 mm, Dundrennan 6.0 h.)

The 10th dawned after a cold night in E areas, with an air frost in E Scotland and NE England. Showers affected Ireland and W areas of the UK overnight (particularly NW England and N areas of the Midlands) but tended to fade away during the day as high pressure built across much of the UK. It remained cloudy over Ireland and some W areas of the UK during the day, with the best of any sunshine being found in the E. It was cold in N areas, but mild for the time of year in SW England, S wales and S Ireland. (Valentia 12.4C, Balmoral 1.5C maximum, Strathallan -3.4C minimum, Nantwich 17.2 mm, Weybourne 5.6 h.)

Much of England and Wales dawned with mist and fog on the 11th after an air frost in parts of E Scotland, E and Cent S England. Further W is was cloudier with some light rain overnight in Wales, parts of W England and Ireland. During the day sunshine was confined to E England, East Anglia and Cent S and SE England. There was some rain in NW Scotland, and rain also gradually moved into Northern Ireland and Cornwall during the afternoon and evening; there were also a few patches of drizzle over central southern England late in the day. However, the heaviest rain tended to be across W Ireland. (Achnagart 12.1C, Strathallan 3.1C maximum, Fyvie Castle -3.5C minimum, Isles of Scilly 9.8 mm, Tibenham Airfield 6.4 h.)

A S'ly airflow persisted during the 12th. There was a slight ground first in parts of E England and some scattered patches of mist and fog in parts of Ireland, Wales and England by dawn. Frontal cloud and some rain in W areas meant that sunshine was generally confined to E areas of the UK, although there was some sunshine in Cornwall. (Bude 11.3C, Emley Moor 4.0C maximum, Cranwell -1.4C minimum, Cardinham 23.6 mm, Manston 6.5 h.)

Cooler air flowing around high pressure over Scandinavia began to dominate the weather on the 13th. Ground frost was widespread overnight over England and Scotland across Ireland it was cloudier overnight with some heavy rain in places. Valentia reported 28 mm in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT and further rain during the day was mainly confined to Ireland. Scotland, Ireland, Wales and N England were rather dull during the day and except in W Ireland daytime temperatures were mainly below average. (Sherkin Island 11.5C, Lake Vyrnwy 1.8C maximum, Charlwood -2.5C minimum, Isles of Scilly 11.4 mm, East Malling 7.0 h.)

Overnight into the 14th there was rain across Ireland and in a few locations in E Britain due to an onshore flow from the SE. Away from Ireland there was a widespread air frost and the day was also cold away from W Ireland and SW Cornwall. Further light rain fell across Ireland and in a few parts of W Britain during the day, with scattered showers near some E and NE coasts. The clearer areas turned frosty again in the evening. (Valentia 12C, Dalwhinnie 0.8C maximum, South Farnborough -6.6C minimum, Derrylin Cornahoule 6.0 mm, Lyneham 5.5 h.)

The 15th was dry for a while in the E and N - until the evening in NE Scotland - but rain and increasingly windy weather spread across the whole country from the SW. There was widespread heavy rain, and heavy snow in some central and northern districts. Clearer weather followed over much of S Britain late in the day, but a recirculating occlusion brought more heavy rain across Northern Ireland and Wales and into the N half of England in the evening, and there were showers in the SW. It became very mild in the SW and in S Ireland, and less cold in the S. There were gusts of up to 80 mph in the most exposed northerly regions. High winds hit parts of the UK as Storm Deirdre swept in, bringing travel disruption and power cuts. The Met Office said up to 50 cm of snow fell in the Highlands. Multiple crashes because of icy conditions were reported by police overnight on Saturday and hundreds of homes lost power in Scotland and Wales. Several police forces - in Devon, Cheshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, South Yorkshire and Merseyside - all tweeted to say they were responding to traffic collisions or incidents of fallen trees. Traffic Scotland said heavy snow was causing delays on the A9 between Perth and Aviemore and the A84 was said to be "impassable" north of Callander. Hundreds of homes lost power due to high winds on Saturday. Storm Deirdre brought strong winds resulting in planes having to abort landings in parts of N Britain. (Bude 14.4C, Pateley Bridge Ravens Nest 0.2C maximum, South Newington -4.1C minimum, Lough Fea 62.6 mm, Weybourne 0.7 h.)

With low pressure over or close to N Scotland (centre 983 mb close to Inverness at 0600 GMT) initially on the 16th and with another centre over Wales (centre 1002 mb at 1800 GMT) later, there was widespread rain overnight and later in the day. Parts of Scotland had falls of sleet or snow. E Britain had periods of sunshine ahead of the afternoon rain, and there were also sunny intervals over Ireland later. (Swanage 11.0C, Lough Fea 4.1C maximum, Shoreham -1.4C minimum, Tyndrum 32.2 mm, Tibenham Airfield 5.3 h.)

A shallow low moved E'wards across Cent England overnight into the 17th giving some rainfall across England and S Scotland. The rain cleared to give some mist and fog patches in E Britain followed by sunny spells. Further W it was a cloudy day as a deep low to the W of Ireland pushed fronts across Ireland and into W Britain later in the day. (Valentia 12.7C, Dalwhinnie 4.6C maximum, Aboyne -3.6C minimum, Tyndrum 12.2 mm, East Malling 6.9 h.)

The 18th was wet across Ireland overnight (39 mm fell in Valentia in the 12 hours ending 0600 GMT); during the day the rain spread E to all areas of the British Isles. It was windy but generally mild with gusts over 70 mph in some NW areas. Showery conditions followed the rain from the W, with some sunny periods over Ireland later. By the end of the day many parts of Wales remained at risk of flooding following continued heavy rain. Flooding in the Cynon Valley at Cwmbach closed one of the main Valleys Lines rail routes between Mountain Ash and Aberdare. (Aultbea 12.7C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park 7.2C maximum, Cranwell 1.3C minimum, Cluanie Inn 65.4 mm, Cork Airport 3.0 h.)

A brisk SW'ly flow on the 19th brought a day of sunny periods and showers. The showers were particularly frequent in the W, while W Scotland and W Ireland had a rather dull day. In places the showers merged to give longer spells of rain. There was a slight air frost in parts of N Scotland and a mild day followed away from parts of N and Cent Scotland. Later in the day an area of frontal rain affected Ireland. (Plymouth 10.7C, Cassley 4.3C maximum, Tain Range -3.0C minimum, Capel Curig 38.4 mm, Lyneham 5.3 h.)

Low pressure to the W of the UK brought further showers on the 20th, mainly in W areas; across S and W Scotland these merged into longer spells of rain at times. Parts of NE Scotland had an early ground frost while sunny spells during the day were mainly confined to S and Cent England. During the evening rain spread into SW England from the SW. The day was generally mild over England, Wales and Ireland, but cooler in many parts of Scotland. (Isles of Scilly 11.9C, Tain Range 1.2C maximum, Tain Range -3.4C minimum, Pateley Bridge Ravens Nest 22.2 mm, Shoeburyness 4.8 h.)

Overnight into the 21st rain pushed NE'wards across Ireland, Wales and England. Further N in parts of Scotland there was a touch of air frost. Much of Scotland remained largely dry during the day although, along with most of the British Isles, was rather dull. There was some sunshine in parts of S England; it was also dry here for much of the day in many places, but showery outbreaks affected most remaining areas of England, Ireland and Wales. It was mild across S Ireland, and over most of S and Cent Wales and England but cooler over N Scotland. (St James Park 13.1C, Fyvie Castle 1.1C maximum,
Altnaharra -3.3C minimum, Gogerddan 26.0 mm, Hurn 3.3 h.)

High pressure built from the S during the 22nd (reaching 1024 mb on the Channel Islands by 1800 GMT). Rain and showers moved away E'wards during the day further rainfall reached W Ireland and W Scotland later in the day. Parts of N and E Scotland had an air frost before dawn, while parts of SW England and the Channel Islands remained above 10C overnight. A mild day followed over S and Cent parts of England, Wales and Ireland. (St Helier 12.5C, Fyvie Castle 0.1C maximum, Fyvie Castle -3.6C minimum, Cluanie Inn 24.0 mm, Shoeburyness 5.8 h.)

Overnight rain across Ireland and SW areas of Britain early on the 23rd extended across most of England and Wales, and then became slow moving across S and Cent areas of England, wales and Ireland. NW Britain had some overnight showers with parts of E Scotland having a slight air frost. Away from W Scotland the day was generally cloudy. It became drier for a few hours over S Britain, but a further rain area moved into SW Britain late in the day and was joined by the northern rain area coming back S'wards. S Ireland, and many areas of S Wales, Cent and S England and S areas of East Anglia were mild. (Exeter Airport 13.9C, Balmoral 3.5C maximum, Aboyne -2.6C minimum, Okehampton 25.2 mm, Tiree 2.7 h.)

Frontal rain moved S'wards into the 24th as high pressure developed towards the N (centre 1034 mb over the NE Midlands at 1200 GMT). Many inland areas of Scotland, and parts of Northern Ireland and N England, had an air frost before dawn. During the day the rain became confined to S and cent Ireland, and to SW England, weakening all the time as pressure rose. There were isolated persistent freezing fog patches in the Glasgow area. Much of Ireland, S Wales and SW England had a cloudy day elsewhere there were sunny spells and parts of SW Ireland were very mild. (Valentia 14.2C, Glasgow -1.9C maximum, Tyndrum -6.0C minimum, Camborne 8.4 mm, Morecambe 5.9 h.)

Pressure remained high on the 25th although a weak front gave some patchy rain over parts of Ireland and W Scotland. E parts of Britain had an air frost and much of England, Wales, E Ireland and parts of S Scotland had early mist or fog. A generally cloudy day followed except in a few E areas of Britain; the fog was slow to clear from parts of North Yorkshire and the Glasgow area; there was also hill fog, and drizzle, in SW England. Many places were quite mild, and it was locally very mild in NW Scotland. (Achnagart 13.6C, Fyvie Castle 1.0C maximum, Aboyne -8.4C minimum, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park 2.0 mm,
Tibenham Airfield 4.7 h.)

Fronts gave cloudy conditions over SE Britain and spells of rain across NW Ireland and N and W Scotland on the 26th. Elsewhere, cloudy skies prevented any air frost in most areas and a rather dull day ensued. There was widespread mist and some fog patches across England, Wales, S Scotland and in parts of Ireland and most places had a mild, locally very mild, day with temperatures reaching 10C in most areas. (Tain Range 12.9C, Langdon Bay 7.1C maximum, Fyvie Castle -1.8C minimum, Achnagart 21.2 mm, Leeming 1.8 h.)

Pressure remained generally high on the 27th while a weak front moved slowly S'wards across Scotland before dissipating. There was some early mist across England, Wales and Ireland and a mainly mild night was followed by a dull day in many areas. The best of any sunshine was to be found in parts of S England and in a few parts of E Scotland and NE England. There were, though, isolated patches of persistent fog in southern England, and the fog became a little more widespread, and locally freezing, in the early evening before mostly clearing away towards midnight. (Killowen 12.7C, Yeovilton 3.7C maximum, Frittenden -0.8C minimum, Kinlochewe 2.8 mm, Camborne 6.1 h.)

Low pressure and fronts close to W Scotland gave some overnight rain over Scotland and Ireland into the 28th and further (mainly very light) falls in many parts of Scotland, Ireland and N England during the day. W Scotland, S Ireland, Wales, East Anglia and SW England remained rather cloudy during the day but it was a mild day everywhere. (Hawarden 12.8C, Exeter Airport 7.4C maximum, Goudhurst -1.8C minimum, Achnagart 17.4 mm, Jersey Airport 5.1 h.)

A shallow area of low pressure crossed N Scotland during the morning of the 29th (centre 1008 mb close to Wick at 0600 GMT). As associated fronts drifted S'wards the day was mainly a cloudy one with some light rain as far S as Wales and N England. There was a little air frost in parts of E Scotland, but a mild day followed in all areas. (Usk No.2 14.1C, Loch Glascarnoch 6.5C maximum, Aboyne 0.2C minimum, Cluanie Inn 26.0 mm, Edinburgh Gogarbank 4.3 h.)

Pressure rose during the 30th (centre 1039 mb off SW Cornwall at 2400 GMT). It was a mild or very mild day everywhere but cloudy except in a few parts of NE England and W Scotland. Overnight rain fell over many parts of Scotland, N England and Northern Ireland with lesser falls elsewhere. During the day fall were lighter with many parts of England and Northern Ireland remaining dry. The warmth was the result of a warm front crossing most areas during the day; this warm air arrival gave some advection fog for a time in various districts, mainly over the higher ground. (Topcliffe 13.3C, Tredegar Bryn Bach Park 7.8C maximum, Topcliffe -0.8C minimum, Achnagart 14.6 mm, Morpeth Cockle Park 2.3 h.)

The 31st was another mild day as pressure remained high over the SW. It was also cloudy in most areas but E and S Scotland, and parts of W Ireland, had some sunny periods. Frontal cloud gave some rain as it moved SE'wards across Scotland later in the day. (Aboyne 13.5C, Okehampton 6.5C maximum, Topcliffe 1.8C minimum, Cluanie Inn 26.0 mm, Dyce 2.6 h.)